Teacher Mobility in Texas: Trends and Associations With Student, Teacher, and School Characteristics

• In Event: Recruitment and Retention for Specific Teacher Populations

Abstract

This study provides descriptive information regarding teacher mobility for Texas public schools during the 2011/12 through 2015/16 school years. Analyses explore links between mobility and teacher, student, and school characteristics and pilot data from the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System. The overall mobility rate increased from 18.7% in 2011/12 to 22.0% in 2015/16. Teachers with special education certifications left Texas public schools at twice the rate of other teachers. Schools with higher overall observation ratings tended to have lower mobility rates. Findings from this study provide policymakers in Texas with updated information about trends and correlates of mobility and offer a systematic baseline for monitoring and planning for future changes.

Author

• Kate Sullivan, American Institutes for Research