Determinants of teacher attrition: Evidence from district-teacher matched data

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.30.6642

Keywords:

district-teacher matched data, teacher attrition, teacher voice

Abstract

This study examines various factors influencing teacher attrition. Relying on nationally representative, district-teacher matched data, we attempt to identify key determinants of teacher attrition by employing multilevel mixed-effects linear models, which control for commonalities among teachers within the same school district. We find that a stronger teacher voice, a more supportive work environment, fewer school problems, and greater teacher morale significantly reduce teacher attrition. We also show that teacher base salary and returns to experience are negatively associated with teacher attrition. Among all these factors, teacher voice shows one of the largest impacts on teacher attrition, and its effects are much greater for novice teachers than for experienced teachers.

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Author Biographies

Emma García, Economic Policy Institute

Emma García is an economist specializing in the economics of education and education policy. She developed this study while she was an economist at the Economic Policy Institute. She is now a senior researcher at the Learning Policy Institute.

Eunice Han, University of Utah

Eunice Han is an assistant professor at the University of Utah, a senior research associate at the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School, and a research associate at the Economic Policy Institute. Han’s recent research focuses on educational inequality and education policy.

Elaine Weiss, National Academy of Social Insurance

Elaine Weiss is Policy Director at the National Academy of Social Insurance and a research associate at the Economic Policy Institute.

Published

2022-03-01

How to Cite

García, E., Han, E., & Weiss, E. (2022). Determinants of teacher attrition: Evidence from district-teacher matched data. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 30, (25). https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.30.6642

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Articles