Investigating Factors That Impact Secondary STEM Teacher Retention

• In Event: 15.014 - Fresh Perspectives on Hiring and Retaining Educators

Abstract

The present study used 2011-12 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) data to determine the impact of school organizational factors on secondary STEM teacher retention in the post-NCLB era. Researchers utilized teacher and principal instruments from the SASS to measure the retention of grades 9 - 12 STEM teachers (n= 920). Due to the nested nature of teachers within schools, multilevel logistic regression STEM teacher retention across schools. The study focused on identifying the proportion of variance in STEM teacher retention attributable to school differences and the effect of school climate on STEM teacher retention, controlling for teacher and principal characteristics. Having a principal with a STEM major had a positive effect on the retention of secondary STEM teachers.

Authors

• Mario I Suárez, Utah State University

• Kim Boddie Wright, College Station Independent School District