ATLANTA --- Thousands of teachers started their careers last month, and at the current rate two-thirds of them will have quit within five years.
Slowing that exodus might seem impossible in a recession, when money for pay raises and equipment is scarce. But recent research shows the quality of principals has more to do with teacher retention -- and student performance -- than any other factor, including pay.
"When researchers conducted a lot of surveys about teacher departures, everybody thought it was money, but they were surprised it was not," said Kathy O'Neill, the director of the Leadership Initiative for the Southern Regional Education Board.
Replacing teachers is a budget issue, though. It cost Georgia taxpayers nearly $60 million in 2001 and steadily swelled to $400 million in 2005, the last year it was estimated by the state Professional Standards Commission.
Nationwide, educators resigned at an annual rate of 13 percent in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's better than the 17 percent in the financial field or the 22 percent in real estate, but it's worse than the 8 percent for state and local government.
The reasons teachers stay were identified in a recent study published in the Journal of Teacher Education by three researchers from Georgia State University. Positive relationships between teachers and administrators, a diverse student population and a work environment that emphasizes academic achievement were the main factors.
The issues are things principals and district policies can control, experts say.
"The study is essentially about valuing teacher input," said one of the study authors, Brian Lack.
Gale Hulme, the executive director of the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement, agrees.
"Most teachers stay in a school because of the leadership," she said. "They work for people. They don't work for schools."
Gov. Roy Barnes started the institute his last year in office. Since 2002, it has trained 350 newly appointed principals annually on modern approaches to leading a team of instructors. Gov. Sonny Perdue began requiring coaches to provide ongoing mentoring to the new principals.
As they replace the wave of retiring baby boomers, the new principals are shifting their job descriptions away from managing a campus to focusing more on improving academics, she said.
"What they are is leaders of other leaders, because that's what teachers are," Ms. Hulme said.
Reach Walter Jones at (404) 589-8424 or walter.jones@morris.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any researcher who thought the reason for teacher departures was money didn't research and think very well.
A happy principal makes a happy teacher...teachers certainly aren't in it for the money!!!
Whenever you hear the words, "a recent study..." you know you're in for a treat. What's worse is an article about a recent study to give it just a little more ambiguity. Anyone who actually works in the public school system knows better. What's not mentioned are 2 important factors - specialized teacher programs, such as TAP, and gender. Teachers coming from TAP start out in less desirable counties, typically inner city schools - then later switch or quit when their obligation has ended. Another important thing to mention is the gender of the principals. The vast majority of female teachers (the largest percentage of genders) don't like working for female principals, then switch to schools where there are male principals to avoid the inevitable never ending series of cat fights, or they quit altogether. Even women don't like working for women - it's a harsh reality but it's true. Women tend to work someplace where they "feel" better (emotion based) and men tend to work someplace where they are filling their roles as providers (logic based). Simply put: female dominated fields - retention based on how they feel about their boss. Male dominated: money linked to retention.
Most administrators enter that field after only the briefest of time as a teacher. That is why most of them suck! They don't understand what the classrom is really like since they were not in it except when they were wet behind the ears.
So true Mr. Thackeray. There is an Assistant Principal at the new Grovetown High School that was never a classroom teacher.
Never Longtime? How is that possible. Is there not a mandate in this state that they server in the classroom a certain number of years?
Only the unsuspecting would actually take the job of Principal, so what did you expect? Of course it's that way. Talk to any teacher who's been in the classroom for any significant number of years, and they'll tell you you're out of your mind if you think they would be interested in a Principal position. The most sought after position is Librarian! No one wants to cater to the whims of the all dreaded School Board.
"they'll tell you you're out of your mind if you think they would be interested in a Principal position"
Any good teacher would at least. Those that become Admins will tell you, "I can impact more kids this way." BULL. YOu can harm more is more like it.
"Recent research shows the quality of principals has more to do with teacher retention -- and student performance -- than any other factor, including pay". Student performance is proven to be linked to socioeconomic status. All too often teachers work two jobs: they raise other people's children (i.e. teach them manners, respect, etc) and teach the subject matter. Not to mention No Child Left Behind mandates. Most teachers who stay in the job do so because they simply have bills to pay and cannot find another job that pays as well and gives you summers off. It is very rare to find a teacher that does it because it is truly what they want to do. I don't know of a single teacher who has left the teaching profession and returned after life on the outside.
crackertoy, I don't necessarily agree with your last post. The teachers I know who have taught more than 15-20 years are there because they truly have a love for the profession. There is not enough money in the world to pay a teacher to work at some schools if they didn't love their job. I do agree with the article. Working for a good administrator can make all the difference in the world when it comes to teacher morale and support. Teachers can deal with the students and parents as long as they have a good person in the leadership role who will support them when needed.
Some local female school principals need to stop playing favorites, causing arguments and just do their jobs.
There is an "iron triangle" for poor student performance- low income, low parental education, single-parent families. When you have all 3- and they all are intertwined- then there will be poor school performance, with very few exceptions, and it is extremely difficult to overcome.
Good principals back their teachers when their teachers are in the right. Good teachers come back for a succeeding school year to work with a principal who backs them. But can a principal without a backbone back anyone? Unfortunately, we have too many principals without backbones, I'm ashamed to think.
I do not like to say this but it would be interesting to see the research of numbers on how many Delta sorority sisters are linked to the leadership ladder and are exceptions to the policies.
All anyone has to do is watch what happens after a new principal takes over. If a lot of teacher leave after 2 or 3 years then there is obviously a problem with the administration. The problem is that person is usually a back scratcher of the powers that be at the BOE office. So of course a blind eye is turned. Because it just HAS to be the teachers that are the problem not their golf buddies.
Dr Janina Dallas, McBean Elementary. Worst abuse of administrative authority in an elementary school in Richmond Co.. The RCBOE has been notified many times and has investigated many times (by their own department) and a parents lawyer has notified them of certain actions. Yet she is still there- why do you ask? I would say, scores have continued to increase or stayed consistant for the past 5 years or so. She's a "proven cow". ANY parent or teacher that hears her name apsolutlely cringes. BTW, I have seen heads of RCBOE departments cringe or make comments like "we just can't catch her". I just love RCBOE sometimes- not!
I don't know of a single teacher who has left the teaching profession and returned after life on the outside.
Crackertoy-
Let me introduce myself. I spent 5 1/2 years to get two education degrees. I taught for 4 years, then stayed at home for 6 years. This is now my 5th year back in the classroom. Having summers/holidays off is a bonus as I have school age children. I assure you, however, that most teachers cram 12 months of work into those 190 days. I have to agree that good leadership makes all the difference.
Anotherday: I'm sorry McBean's administration doesn't sound any better than Barton Chapel. It's ridiculous what is allowed to go on is schools and administrators and people at the board just turn their backs to it. When is something going to be done about those in administration that do nothing to control behavior or back up their teachers?
The CCBOE has turned a blind eye to three successive years of teacher exodus from Greenbrier. CCBOE must be aSleeper at the switch.
(W)e the people, my e-mail address is: craigspinks@aol.com.
Luckie: I agree!
Scooby: Some of those teachers might be leaving because they are no longer getting their way and want to go somewhere they can. A mass exodus of teachers is not always a bad thing.
My kids are saying many good, challenging and AP certified teachers are leaving Greenbrier.
don't forget a school board/admin that backs their teachers 100% and would be willing to take a proactive approach and get rid of the dead weight, disruptive, disrepectful and violent students, while holding the parents accountable in addition to putting education ahead of sports and other extra curricular activities teachers will tend to stay and go the extra miles...richmond county is the exact opposite where football is king, and the main goal is to reach and teach too students who don't want to be there or the troublemakers all for the sake of keeping education dollars
Aiken County is horrible too. Aiken Elementary's principal is terrible and yet they do nothing!
A comment was made about the leadership at AR Johnson and I disagree with the above. What a great team of leadhers they have in administration and in the faculty. Before a comment is made, the facts should be straight. They hired teachers with the addition of middle school, there were no teachers that left in droves. You are talking about the wrong school.
Where are the teachers at Greenbrier going? I noticed some good teachers in the science department left, they provided great websites and went the extra mile. Such a shame.
notscared: I agree with what you said as well and that is sort of what I meant, just didn't use as many words. The problem with education is that those who can actually teach get fed up with everything and leave...in whatever means necessary (i.e. retire, go to another school that they will be better, get a different job, etc.). And another thing about the Delta sorority sisters. The AKA sorority sister web needs to be looked into as well.
If you think that there are unqualified teachers teaching, call the state BOE. Report the school. However, I suspect they will tell you that what is happening at Johnson is perfectly legal under state law. Good luck with that.
amusedandconfused - AMEN! Couldn't have said it better myself.
I predict that there will most likely be teachers leaving the profession. They have so much thrown at them. They take work home with them because they don't have enough planning time at school. This takes away spending quality time with their families. They are expected to teach will very little materials. Then attendance determines AYP just like the CRCT tests. I'm sorry but I don't see how teachers can make children get out of the bed and come to school. If the court systems would actually make parents accountable in court, this might change for the better. Teachers cannot teach children if they are not at school.