Changes in Teachers' Mobility and Attrition in Arkansas During Three Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Twelve
  In Roundtable Session: The Work of Teachers: Unionization, Labor, and Retention (Table 16)

Abstract

Teachers' levels of stress and burnout have been high throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about a potential increase in teacher turnover and future shortages. We use administrative data from Arkansas to document the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers’ mobility and attrition during the 2018-19 through 2021-2022 academic years. While we find stable turnover rates during the first full year of the pandemic, we observe a 2-percentage point (10%) increase in teacher mobility and attrition during the second year with significant and concerning differences by teacher race/ethnicity and school characteristics. Our results raise concerns about increased strain in areas already experiencing teacher shortages and a potential reduction in the diversity of the Arkansas teacher labor force.

Authors

• Andrew Camp, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
  Presenting Author

• Gema Zamarro, University of Arkansas
  Non-Presenting Author

• Josh McGee, University of Arkansas
  Non-Presenting Author