Teacher-Principal Race Similarity and Teacher Retention: Evidence From National Data

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Fourteen
  In Roundtable Session: Collaboration: Growing Equitable Attrition Rates for Teachers of Color (Table 13)

Abstract

Our nation is grappling with large teacher attrition rates, particularly with minority race teachers. Research on teacher-principal race congruence has provided evidence that minority teachers working under same-race principals are less likely to move or leave the profession. However, given the relatively small numbers of minority teachers, it is unlikely that all minority teachers can be placed with a same-race principal. Motivated by the rainbow coalition framework, we extend the race-congruence literature by examining attrition of minority teachers with race-similar principals. We find that minority teacher-minority principal pairings can reduce teacher attrition, even when the teacher and principal are not of the same race. Our work is particularly salient for retaining minority race teachers in schools and in the profession.

Authors

• Adam Kho, University of Southern California
  Non-Presenting Author

• Margaret Dawson-Amoah, University of Southern California
  Presenting Author

• Samantha Viano, George Mason University
  Non-Presenting Author