The Great Teacher Exodus
Is This the End of Public Education?
Privatizers are declaring victory over public education as teachers are quitting in great numbers. But let's be real, who needs teachers anyway? We can just replace them with robots, right? Oh wait, that's not a thing yet? Well, I guess we better figure out why teachers are quitting and what we can do to stop it.
First of all, where are these teachers quitting? Apparently, it's happening all across the US, but especially in states like Florida, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and California. And it seems like teachers of color, particularly Black men, are quitting at even higher rates. Hmm, I wonder why that could be?
Well, it turns out there are a lot of reasons why teachers are quitting. Some of them include unsafe Covid protocols (because apparently some people still don't believe in science), disrupted schedules (thanks a lot, pandemic), overwork (because apparently teachers don't need breaks), low pay (because why would we want to invest in the future of our country?), student misbehavior (because kids these days, am I right?), lack of autonomy (because who needs creativity in the classroom?), poor communication and support from administration (because who needs leadership?), and stress and burnout (because apparently teachers aren't human beings who need self-care).
So who's responsible for all of this? Well, that's a tricky question. It seems like there are a lot of factors at play here, including state and local policies on mask mandates, testing, and vaccination, school district decisions on curriculum, training and procedures, parent and community attitudes and expectations, and teacher unions and associations. But let's not forget about the real culprits here: Moms for Liberty and Christian nationalists.
Moms for Liberty is a conservative group that opposes mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and the teaching of critical race theory in schools. Because apparently keeping people safe and teaching accurate history is too much to ask for. And Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, often with a white supremacist and anti-democratic agenda. Because apparently Jesus was all about oppressing people who don't look like him.
So what are the effects of these right-wing groups on teachers quitting? Well, for one thing, teachers face harassment, threats, and intimidation from right-wing activists who accuse them of indoctrinating students with leftist or anti-American views. Because apparently teaching kids to think critically is a bad thing. Teachers also lose autonomy, support, and resources as conservative school boards impose ideological agendas, cut funding, and fire staff who dissent. Because apparently diversity of thought is overrated. And teachers experience stress, burnout, and moral distress as they struggle to balance their professional obligations, personal beliefs, and student needs in a hostile and polarized environment. Because apparently we don't want our teachers to be happy or fulfilled.
But it's not just these right-wing groups that are causing problems for teachers. Several states have introduced or passed bills that would restrict or ban the teaching of certain subjects or concepts related to race, gender, sexuality, history, or social justice in K-12 schools and colleges. These bills often target critical race theory, LGBTQ issues, or the 1619 Project as examples of "divisive" or "indoctrinating" content. Because apparently acknowledging systemic oppression is too much for some people to handle.
So what are the effects of these bills on teachers quitting? Well, for one thing, teachers face legal risks, professional consequences, and personal costs for teaching subjects that are relevant, accurate, and aligned with academic standards. Because apparently we don't want our kids to learn anything useful. Teachers also lose academic freedom, professional autonomy, and pedagogical judgment as they are forced to comply with ideological mandates and censorship. Because apparently thinking for yourself is overrated. And teachers experience fear, anxiety, and frustration as they navigate a hostile and politicized climate for education. Because apparently we don't want our teachers to be happy or fulfilled (yes, I know I already used that line but it bears repeating).
But let's not forget about the role that bashing teacher unions plays in all of this. Teacher unions are organizations that represent the collective interests and rights of teachers in matters such as wages, benefits, working conditions, professional development, and education policy. But apparently some people think they're the root of all evil. Bashing teacher unions often involves blaming them for the problems of public education, such as low student achievement, poor quality teachers, lack of innovation, and inefficiency.
So what are the effects of bashing teacher unions on teachers quitting? Well, for one thing, teachers lose bargaining power, voice, and protection as their unions are weakened by anti-union legislation, litigation, and campaigns that undermine their rights, funding, and membership. Because apparently workers don't deserve to have a say in their own working conditions. Teachers also lose morale, motivation, and commitment as they are devalued, disrespected, and demonized by the public discourse and policy agenda that scapegoat them for the failures of the system. Because apparently blaming individuals for systemic problems is easier than actually fixing them. And teachers lose trust, solidarity, and collaboration as they are divided by the incentives and sanctions that reward or punish them based on individual performance measures, such as test scores or evaluations. Because apparently teamwork is overrated.
So what can we do to stop all of this madness? Well, some possible solutions that have been suggested or implemented to address the teacher shortage and retention problem are increasing teacher pay and benefits (because apparently investing in education is a crazy idea), providing more mentoring and professional development opportunities (because apparently teaching is a job you can just wing), improving working conditions and safety measures (because apparently we don't care if our teachers get sick or injured), offering more flexibility and autonomy to teachers (because apparently creativity is overrated), recruiting more diverse and qualified candidates into the profession (because apparently we only want certain types of people to be educators), dedicating resources toward employee feedback (because apparently we don't care what our employees think), showing genuine interest in teachers' development (because apparently we don't care about their well-being), seeking ways to be more progressive (because apparently progress is a dirty word), providing opportunities for teacher input (because apparently we don't care about their expertise), and not being complete idiots (because apparently that's too much to ask for).
In conclusion, if we want to stop the mass exodus of teachers from our schools, we need to stop treating them like disposable commodities and start valuing them as the essential workers they are. We need to invest in their well-being and professional development, give them the resources and support they need to do their jobs effectively and safely, and stop blaming them for the problems caused by systemic issues beyond their control. And if all else fails, we can always just replace them with robots. I hear they make great conversationalists.
THE DEFT DIVE
The Great Teacher Exodus
- - **Where are they quitting?** Teachers are quitting in big numbers across the US, especially in states like Florida, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and California²³⁴⁵. The attrition rates are higher for teachers of color, particularly Black men².
- - **Why are they quitting?** Some of the reasons that teachers are quitting include unsafe Covid protocols, disrupted schedules, overwork, low pay, student misbehavior, lack of autonomy, poor communication and support from administration, and stress and burnout¹²³⁴⁵.
- - **Who is responsible for teachers quitting?** There is no simple answer to this question, as different stakeholders may have different roles and perspectives on the issue. Some possible factors that contribute to teachers quitting are state and local policies on mask mandates, testing and vaccination³, school district decisions on curriculum, training and procedures², parent and community attitudes and expectations²³, and teacher unions and associations⁴.
- - **What can we do to stop it?** Some possible solutions that have been suggested or implemented to address the teacher shortage and retention problem are increasing teacher pay and benefits⁴, providing more mentoring and professional development opportunities², improving working conditions and safety measures¹³, offering more flexibility and autonomy to teachers⁴, and recruiting more diverse and qualified candidates into the profession²⁴.
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) Pennsylvania teachers are quitting in big numbers. Here's why some from .... https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2023/07/09/pennsylvania-teachers-quitting-pittsburgh/stories/202307060139.
(2) ‘Exhausted and underpaid’: teachers across the US are leaving their .... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/teachers-quitting-jobs-covid-record-numbers.
(3) The Biggest Challenge For Schools In 2023 Is Keeping Hold Of Teachers. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2022/12/30/the-biggest-challenge-for-schools-in-2023-is-keeping-hold-of-teachers/.
(4) Teachers are quitting, and companies are hot to hire them. https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/teachers-quitting-companies-hire.
(5) Teachers are in the midst of a burnout crisis: 'It became ... - CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/teachers-are-in-the-midst-of-a-burnout-crisis-it-became-intolerable.html.
The effects of right wing groups on teachers quitting:
- - **Moms for Liberty** is a conservative group that opposes mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and the teaching of critical race theory in schools. The group has chapters in several states and has been involved in protests, lawsuits, and campaigns against school boards and educators¹².
- - **Christian nationalism** is a political ideology that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, often with a white supremacist and anti-democratic agenda. Some Christian nationalists have targeted public schools as sites of cultural warfare, opposing multiculturalism, LGBTQ rights, and secularism³⁴.
- - Some of the effects of these right wing groups on teachers quitting are:
- - Teachers face harassment, threats, and intimidation from right wing activists who accuse them of indoctrinating students with leftist or anti-American views¹⁴ .
- - Teachers lose autonomy, support, and resources as conservative school boards impose ideological agendas, cut funding, and fire staff who dissent¹² .
- - Teachers experience stress, burnout, and moral distress as they struggle to balance their professional obligations, personal beliefs, and student needs in a hostile and polarized environment⁴ .
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) Fellow Republicans Fed up With Conservative Colorado School ... - Insider. https://www.insider.com/conservative-colorado-school-board-angering-fellow-republicans-2023-5.
(2) A right-wing takeover of a Colorado school board has some of the town’s .... https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woodland-park-colorado-school-board-conservatives-rcna83311.
(3) Teachers quitting in droves. Fox News terrorizes Trump. Hunter. https://politicsdoneright.com/2023/06/teachers-quitting-in-droves-fox-news-terrorizes-trump-hunter-trump-false-equivalency/.
(4) Facing Threats Over Critical Race Theory, Educators Across ... - Truthout. https://truthout.org/articles/facing-threats-over-critical-race-theory-educators-across-the-us-are-quitting/.
The effects of states criminalizing teaching certain subjects:
- - Several states have introduced or passed bills that would restrict or ban the teaching of certain subjects or concepts related to race, gender, sexuality, history, or social justice in K-12 schools and colleges. These bills often target critical race theory, LGBTQ issues, or the 1619 Project as examples of "divisive" or "indoctrinating" content¹.
- - Some of these bills would impose penalties for teachers who violate the law, such as fines, suspension, termination, or revocation of licenses. Some would also allow parents or students to sue schools or teachers for damages. Some would also remove librarians, educators, or other professionals from exemptions from prosecution under state obscenity laws².
- - Some of the effects of these bills on teachers quitting are:
- - Teachers face legal risks, professional consequences, and personal costs for teaching subjects that are relevant, accurate, and aligned with academic standards¹².
- - Teachers lose academic freedom, professional autonomy, and pedagogical judgment as they are forced to comply with ideological mandates and censorship¹².
- - Teachers experience fear, anxiety, and frustration as they navigate a hostile and politicized climate for education¹².
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) Teacher Anti-CRT Bills Coast To Coast: A State By State Guide - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2022/02/16/teacher-anti-crt-bills-coast-to-coast-a-state-by-state-guide/.
(2) Review of State Laws that Would Criminalize ... - EveryLibrary. https://www.everylibrary.org/review_state_laws_criminalize_librarianship_2022.
(3) School-to-Prison Pipeline [Infographic] - American Civil Liberties Union. https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline/school-prison-pipeline-infographic.
The effects of bashing teacher unions on teachers quitting:
- - **Teacher unions** are organizations that represent the collective interests and rights of teachers in matters such as wages, benefits, working conditions, professional development, and education policy. Teacher unions also advocate for public education and social justice issues that affect students and communities¹².
- - **Bashing teacher unions** is a term that refers to the criticism, hostility, and opposition that teacher unions face from various sources, such as politicians, media, corporations, think tanks, and reformers. Bashing teacher unions often involves blaming them for the problems of public education, such as low student achievement, poor quality teachers, lack of innovation, and inefficiency¹²³.
- - Some of the effects of bashing teacher unions on teachers quitting are:
- - Teachers lose bargaining power, voice, and protection as their unions are weakened by anti-union legislation, litigation, and campaigns that undermine their rights, funding, and membership¹²³⁴.
- - Teachers lose morale, motivation, and commitment as they are devalued, disrespected, and demonized by the public discourse and policy agenda that scapegoat them for the failures of the system¹²⁵.
- - Teachers lose trust, solidarity, and collaboration as they are divided by the incentives and sanctions that reward or punish them based on individual performance measures, such as test scores or evaluations¹²⁵.
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) Educate, Agitate and Organize: One Union's Response to the Teacher .... https://www.jstor.org/stable/45177952.
(2) What's Up with All the Teacher Bashing? - Rethinking Schools. https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/editorial-whats-up-with-all-the-teacher-bashing/.
(3) The Negative Effects of Teacher Unionization on Long-Term Student .... https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2020/08/24/the-negative-effects-of-teacher-unionization-on-long-term-student-outcomes/.
(4) Teachers Unions Are Bad for Teachers. Here’s Why - Discourse. https://www.discoursemagazine.com/politics/2021/04/12/teachers-unions-are-bad-for-teachers-heres-why/.
(5) Teachers Unions and Student Performance: Help or Hindrance? - ed. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ795878.pdf.
Here is a chart of teachers retirements and resignations, based on the data I could find from various sources:
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) More teachers are quitting than usual, driven by stress, politics, data .... https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/03/06/more-teachers-quitting-than-usual-driven-stress-politics-data-shows/11390639002/.
(2) Teacher turnover hits new highs across U.S. - Chalkbeat. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/3/6/23624340/teacher-turnover-leaving-the-profession-quitting-higher-rate.
(3) ‘Exhausted and underpaid’: teachers across the US are leaving their .... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/teachers-quitting-jobs-covid-record-numbers.
(4) Why So Many Teachers Are Thinking of Quitting. https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2021/10/18/teachers-resign-pandemic/.
(5) Teacher retirements and resignations burden schools statewide. https://www.pressherald.com/2022/08/15/teacher-retirements-and-resignations-burden-schools-statewide/.
Here is a chart of the national average of teacher retirements and resignations, based on the data I could find from various sources:
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) D.C.-area schools see spike in teacher resignations - The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/07/15/teacher-resignations-rise-dc-area/.
(2) Press Release - National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/3_3_2022.asp.
(3) More teachers are quitting than usual, driven by stress, politics, data .... https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/03/06/more-teachers-quitting-than-usual-driven-stress-politics-data-shows/11390639002/.
(4) Why Most Teachers Get a Bad Deal on Pensions - Education Next. https://www.educationnext.org/why-most-teachers-get-bad-deal-pensions-state-plans-winners-losers/.
(5) Texas teacher retirements and resignations have spiked in 2022 .... https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/education/texas-teacher-retirements-and-resignations-have-spiked-in-2022-creating-a-crisis-for-districts/287-28c38d2b-cdc8-466d-b248-c7d5c374fcb5.
The effects of teacher turnover on students, based on the information from various sources:
- - Teacher turnover can **lower student achievement** by disrupting the continuity, quality, and effectiveness of instruction. Studies have shown that students in schools with high teacher turnover rates have lower test scores and are more likely to be held back a grade¹²³. Losing a teacher during the school year can result in a loss of up to 72 instructional days⁴.
- - Teacher turnover can also **harm school operations** by disrupting school stability, collaboration, collegial relationships among faculty, and results in a loss of vital institutional knowledge⁵. High turnover rates can also increase the workload and stress of remaining teachers, affecting their morale and performance⁶.
- - Teacher turnover can also **widen achievement gaps** by disproportionately affecting schools serving low-income students and students of color, who are more likely to experience frequent teacher turnover and have less access to experienced and qualified teachers¹²³. Teacher turnover can also reduce the diversity and representation of teachers in schools, affecting students' sense of belonging and identity⁶.
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) Why Addressing Teacher Turnover Matters - Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/why-addressing-teacher-turnover-matters.
(2) Teacher Turnover Affects All Students' Achievement, Study Indicates .... https://cepa.stanford.edu/news/teacher-turnover-affects-all-students-achievement-study-indicates.
(3) Dynamic Effects of Teacher Turnover on the Quality of Instruction - ed. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED571812.pdf.
(4) The Negative Effect Of Teacher Turnover On Student Achievement. https://www.gogreenva.org/the-negative-effect-of-teacher-turnover-on-student-achievement/.
(5) The Impact of Teacher Turnover on Student Learning. https://marcolearning.com/impact-of-teacher-turnover-on-student-learning/.
(6) Teacher Turnover: Why It’s Problematic and How Administrators Can .... https://www.scilearn.com/teacher-turnover/.
Some of the solutions to reduce teacher turnover rates, based on the information from various sources:
- - **Dedicate resources toward employee feedback.** According to a Gallup survey, companies that provide regular employee evaluations or feedback have a nearly 15 percent lower turnover rate than companies that don’t. Simplify the process by investing in software that allows teachers and evaluators to regularly review goals and mark progress on a more regular basis¹.
- - **Show genuine interest in teachers’ development.** Teachers are more likely to stay in the profession if they feel valued, respected, and supported by their principals and colleagues. Provide opportunities for mentoring, coaching, collaboration, and professional learning that are relevant, meaningful, and aligned with teachers’ needs and interests²³.
- - **Seek ways to be more progressive.** Teachers are more likely to leave schools that have poor working conditions, such as inadequate resources, large class sizes, high-stakes testing, and lack of autonomy. Improve the teaching and learning environment by adopting policies and practices that promote student-centered, inquiry-based, and culturally responsive pedagogy⁴⁵.
- - **Provide opportunities for teacher input.** Teachers are more likely to stay in schools that have a shared vision, mission, and goals, and where they have a voice in decision-making processes that affect their work. Involve teachers in school improvement efforts, curriculum development, budget allocation, and hiring processes⁴⁵.
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) 4 Ways to Reduce Teacher Turnover Rates - Education Advanced, Inc.. https://educationadvanced.com/resources/blog/reduce-teacher-turnover/.
(2) Teacher turnover is a problem – here's how to fix it - The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/teacher-turnover-is-a-problem-heres-how-to-fix-it-101584.
(3) What Can We Do About Teacher Turnover? | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-can-we-do-about-teacher-turnover.
(4) Teacher turnover is a problem – here’s how to fix it - News .... https://news.ufl.edu/articles/2018/09/teacher-turnover-is-a-problem--heres-how-to-fix-it.html.
(5) Teacher Retention: Preventing Teacher Turnover - School of Education Online. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/teacher-retention/.
Here are some of the benefits of reducing teacher turnover rates, based on the information from various sources:
- - **Improving student achievement.** Teacher turnover can lower student achievement by disrupting the continuity, quality, and effectiveness of instruction. Studies have shown that students in schools with high teacher turnover rates have lower test scores and are more likely to be held back a grade¹²³. Reducing teacher turnover can improve student outcomes by ensuring that students have access to experienced and qualified teachers who can provide consistent and coherent instruction⁴.
- - **Saving money and resources.** Teacher turnover is costly, as it requires recruitment and training of new teachers, and it disrupts the quality and coherence of teaching. The local cost of teacher turnover can range from about $9,000 on average in a rural district to $21,000 on average in an urban district⁵. Reducing teacher turnover can save money and resources that can be invested in other areas of education, such as new programs, technology, or materials for students.
- - **Narrowing achievement gaps.** Teacher turnover disproportionately affects schools serving low-income students and students of color, who are more likely to experience frequent teacher turnover and have less access to experienced and qualified teachers¹²³. Teacher turnover can also reduce the diversity and representation of teachers in schools, affecting students' sense of belonging and identity. Reducing teacher turnover can narrow achievement gaps by ensuring that all students have equitable access to high-quality teachers who reflect their backgrounds and cultures⁴.
Bing, 7/9/2023
(1) Teacher Retention: Preventing Teacher Turnover - School of Education Online. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/teacher-retention/.
(2) What Can We Do About Teacher Turnover? | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-can-we-do-about-teacher-turnover.
(3) Teacher Turnover: Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teacher-turnover-brief.
(4) Teacher Turnover: Why It’s Problematic and How Administrators Can .... https://www.scilearn.com/teacher-turnover/.
(5) What's the Cost of Teacher Turnover? | Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/the-cost-of-teacher-turnover.
