Educator Retention in Context: Understanding Patterns in Principal and Teacher Turnover in Texas and Washington State

• In Event: Teacher Work, Leadership, and School Improvement

Abstract

Abstract
Schools faced substantial staffing challenges during the COVID-19 period that pre-dated the pandemic but significantly intensified as labor markets contracted around the world. After initially declining, educator turnover has reached historic levels according to the most recent data. This study provides a landscape analysis of teacher and principal turnover leading up to and during the during the COVID-19 period. Contrary to some prior studies, we find principal turnover consistently outpaces teacher turnover across ranges of experience, gender, race/ethnicity, and geography. However, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted these professional roles differently in ways that are sometimes masked by an overemphasis on teacher staffing. We discuss implications for improving teaching and learning conditions in the COVID recovery period.

Authors

• David S. Knight, University of Washington

• Pooya Almasi, University of Washington

• Jinseok Shin, University of Texas - El Paso

• Lu Xu, University of Washington

• David E. DeMatthews, University of Texas at Austin

• Alexandra Aylward, University of Nevada - Reno