Research Article

Examining School-Level Teacher Turnover Trends: A New Angle on a Pervasive Issue

A principal writing at a desk.
May 2023 | Education Resource Strategies
A principal writing at a desk.

This research article from Education Resource Strategies (ERS) discusses the effects of teacher turnover on schools by addressing the impact of teachers transferring schools within a district. Based on fieldwork with six large school districts, this research found that 28% of teachers left their role between October 2021 and October 2022. Findings showed that turnover was greater in schools that served the most students experiencing poverty, and that early career teachers left schools and districts at higher rates than more experienced teachers. The article recommends district leaders make teaching more sustainable in high needs schools, invest in "shelter and develop" models for early-career teachers, target increases in teacher compensation, and reconsider district transfer policies.