Factors that Impact Teacher Retention
William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
Old Techniques in an “Information Age” Lack of Vision in Reframing Retention Failure to Gather information from
Teachers concerning Retention.
62% of Students minorities vs. 39% in other schools.
47% of Students are eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch vs. 35% at other schools.
42% of hard to staff schools were middle schools vs. 18% of other schools were middle schools.
Less Teacher Satisfaction than their peers in other schools.
#1. Inadequate financial compensation.
#2. Under-representation of minority teachers.
#3. Desirability to teach may be outweighed by more attractive alternatives.
#4. Student discipline.
Women are more likely to enter the profession than men.
Only 39% of nation’s public elementary & secondary schools were minority vs. 61% being majority.
Higher test scores and better school selections deter some students from entering the teaching profession.
90% of Teachers agreed that one should enjoy the profession.
81% of Teachers felt that flexibility and spending time with family was a key factor.
Safety Issues Under Compensation Accountability Lack of Opportunity for Advancement
Mentoring to At-Risk Students Alternative Certification Conducive learning environment More Competitive Salary
Attrition increased for: Schools with higher numbers of
minority, low-income, and low-performing students.
Urban Schools vs. Suburban and rural districts.
Public vs. Private Schools, and Schools with poor working conditions
and low financial compensation.
#1. Flexibility in career options for experienced teachers.
#2. Effective mentoring programs. #3. Professional Development. #4. A Comprehensive Induction
Process.
Teacher retention and attrition has become extremely costly for the nation, therefore, new recruitment and retention strategies must be implemented.