Comparing the Career Patterns of Rural and Urban Teachers

• In Event: 26.080 - Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: 26.080-7 - Education and Careers in Rural Context

Abstract

Expanding on prior teacher retention research, we use the SASS/TFS data and life table methodology to document similarities and differences in teachers’ career lengths and school tenure across rural and urban locales. We find few differences in the career patterns of rural and urban teachers; rural teachers are slightly less likely to leave the profession or their school during their first ten years in the classroom. This factor of teacher quality is unlikely to be contributing to educational inequality between rural and urban locales.

Authors

• Sarah R. Cannon, Northwestern University

• Kelly Iwanaga Becker, Northwestern University