Principal Tenure and Teacher Attrition in Public Schools

• In Event: Policy Issues Related to Teacher Quality and Teacher Mobility

Abstract

This paper uses nationally representative data on schools, principals and teachers to examine the coincidence of teacher and principal mobility. Using nationally representative data from three NCES datasets (SASS, TFS and PFS) we examine individual and school characteristics associated with teacher and principal mobility. We compare common associations between teacher and principal mobility and find similarities in terms of age and experience and school AYP status. Further, we find that teacher attrition is higher in schools with short tenured principals. We will use a series of logistic regressions to examine whether teacher attrition is greater in schools with short tenured principals after controlling for other factors associated with the mobility of both teachers and principals.

Authors

• Jared Coopersmith, American Institutes for Research

• Nat N. Malkus, American Institutes for Research

• Dinah Sparks, American Institutes for Research