Does Alternative Certification Lead to Higher Levels of Teacher Turnover? Insights From Nationally Representative Data

• In Event: Roundtable Session 100
  In Roundtable Session: Policy Issues Related to Teacher Knowledge and Certification

Abstract

In this study, we use propensity score matching techniques to examine the effects of teacher certification on teacher attrition by comparing teachers with traditional and alternative certifications using nationally representative data from the 2003-2004 School and Staffing Survey (SASS) and Teacher Follow-up Study (TFS). Our results indicate that regularly certified teachers within their first ten years are less like to leave teaching than their alternatively certified matched peers. The results have broad implications for state education policy and district hiring practices.

Authors

• John M. Weathers, Lehigh University

• Hsien-Yuan Hsu, National Taiwan Normal University

• Meghan Stidd, National University