Teacher Retention in South Carolina: Exploring School-Level Factors

• In Event: Examining Teacher Retention Across Contexts

Abstract

Retaining teachers is an ongoing challenge in K-12 education in the United States. An analysis of 1100 schools in 82 districts in South Carolina revealed that teachers’ satisfaction with school climate, teachers’ views of school safety and student behavior, school poverty, principals’ years at the school, and teacher salary played important roles in teacher retention. Further, the retention rates were significantly higher at high schools than elementary and middle schools, significantly lower at high poverty schools than low and medium poverty schools, significantly lower at schools with new principals than schools with experienced principals. Teacher retention rates did not differ significantly between urban and rural schools. We conclude with recommendations and suggestions for strategies to retain teachers in South Carolina.

Authors

• Tammiee S. Dickenson, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Xumei Fan, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Fan Pan, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Gina M Kunz, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Thomas Edward Hodges, University of South Carolina