Linking Teacher Turnover and Collective Bargaining in Charter Schools: Exploring State Law Variations and Possibilities

• In Event: The Law and K–12 Education

Abstract

Charter schools see as many as one in four teachers leave annually, and recent evidence attributes much of this turnover to provisions affected by collective bargaining processes and state laws on employment terms and conditions. While there have been many recent efforts to improve teacher satisfaction in charter schools including some form of collective bargaining, we know little about the possibilities dictated by state laws. This paper describes the possibilities and variations for collective bargaining by state and for different charter types. It also presents laws that can improve teacher satisfaction in charter schools. Ideally, state laws and the collective bargaining process should provide the appropriate balance between flexibility for charter school leaders, teacher voice, and protections for teachers.

Authors

• Joseph Oluwole, Montclair State University

• Chris Torres, Montclair State University