Investing in Charter Schools: A Reconsideration Based on Teacher Attrition

• In Event: Inside Charter Schools: Teachers and Performance Differences

Abstract

Research has documented various predictors of teacher attrition; however, little research has focused on charter school teachers. This is concerning given the current political climate and the drive to privative education. Our study evaluated differences in attrition rates among teachers (n = 2,689) who worked at a charter school between 1998 and 2009. Survival analyses were conducted to predict teacher attrition rates using various teacher and school variables. Results revealed that teachers who worked their entire career or transferred to a charter school were at the highest risk of attrition, whereas those who transferred to non-charter schools were at a much lower risk. Analyses also indicated that school performance, teacher salary, and school track moderated many predictions of teacher attrition.

Authors

• Daniel Sass, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Belinda Bustos Flores, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Lorena Claeys, The University of Texas - San Antonio