The Roles of Interpersonal Bonds and Racial Match in Black Teacher Career Decisions

• In Event: Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: On the Front Lines: Perspectives on Teachers in K–12 Education

Abstract

In US public schools, the shortage of teachers of African descent specifically, and teachers of color more generally, is a worsening problem that has severe, detrimental effects on students. This shortage of Black teachers is driven in part by the high turnover that exists among teachers of African descent, much of which is precipitated by the poor working conditions in their schools. In this study, I analyze data from a nationally-representative sample of approximately 1,600 Black teachers who participated in the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS, 2007-2008). This work has implications for principals and district leaders who seek to improve retention by overcoming one of the barriers--weak interpersonal bonds--that may be driving Black teachers to seek other schools.

Author

• Ayana Kee Campoli, Harvard University