Comparing Educator’s Life Satisfaction in Illinois

• In Event: Leadership Focus on Academic/ Student Achievement

Abstract

This study compared the life satisfaction of teachers and education support professionals (ESPs). Public school teachers and ESPs in Illinois were invited by email to complete an anonymous online survey that included The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985) over a period of two years (i.e., 2019 and 2020). An independent samples t-test was used to determine whether the population means were significantly different. A total of 1,527 teachers and 224 ESPs participated in 2019; and 1,480 teachers and 293 ESPs participated in 2020. On average, teachers perceived life satisfaction (M = 18.32, SD = 6.89) was greater than ESPs perceived life satisfaction (M = 17.37, SD = 6.50). This difference was significant t(3524) = 2.93, p < .05; however, it represents a small effect d = 0.14. Both groups are slightly below average in life satisfaction.

Author

• Diana Zaleski, University of Illinois Springfield