A Case Study of Teacher Retention in Title I Schools: Implications for Preservice Teacher Education

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Division K Section 5 Poster Session

Abstract

Teacher retention in Hawaiʻi is a challenge, particularly in Title I schools. This qualitative case study explored the factors that influenced teacher retention in three Title I schools within one Oʻahu public school complex in Hawaiʻi. Ten teachers were interviewed and participated in focus groups. Price’s (2001) Causal Model of Turnover, and Higgins’ (2003) Ethics of Teaching were used as the lenses to understand the data. Results revealed that the teachers were influenced by social contexts of their school, their perspectives and understandings about the community in which they worked, acknowledgement, and making a difference. The significance for university teacher education programs lay in teacher understanding of their communities. Suggestions for teacher education programs are discussed.

Author

• Stephanie Furuta, University of Hawaii - Manoa