What Inspires Teachers to Remain in the Profession: An Analysis of SASS Data

• In Event: Will I Stay or Will I Go? Situating Teachers’ Career Decisions in Multiple Contexts

Abstract

At the same time the demand for teachers is increasing, public reports highlight heavy teacher turnover, especially with teachers well below retirement age. Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Schools and Staffing Surveys (SASS), we analyzed factors that influenced teachers’ decisions to stay on the job in the same school, leave a particular school but stay in teaching, or leave the profession. Results showed that having a teacher leadership position, administrative and collegial support and being a union member was a positive influence on teacher retention. The lack of administrative and collegial support and entering the field through an alternative education program was a negative influence on teacher retention.

Authors

• Mark J. Fenster, Notre Dame of Maryland University

• Jennifer Hernandez, Notre Dame of Maryland University