Managing Turnover of the STEM Teacher Workforce

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 63
  In Roundtable Session: Teachers and Unions Leading the Way! Teacher-Led Change, Decision Making, and Professional Learning

Abstract

We are facing a lack of skilled and certified STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teachers due to their high turnover rate. It is important to acquire a better understanding of teachers’ decision-making processes that affect turnover. Using logit regression, this study examines the determinants of STEM teacher turnover, (i) external turnovers (i.e., leaving a K-12 school system) and (ii) internal turnovers (i.e., changing school within a K-12 school system) using 2013 and 2015 panel data from the National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG). This study finds that lower satisfaction on advancement yields a greater likelihood to do external turnover. Additionally, lower satisfaction on location and independence is positively related with the likelihood to do internal turnover.

Authors

• Dongsook Han, Michigan State University

• Hyungjo Hur, The Ohio State University - Columbus