The United States is grappling with a severe teacher shortage, with resignations at their highest rate in 23 years. According to a recent study by Education Week, the national teacher attrition rate reached 11% in 2021-22, marking the steepest rise since 1999. This surge follows a period of slower turnover during the pandemic.
The issue was discussed extensively at a conference hosted by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management in Washington last November. Research presented at the event shed light on the numerous factors driving the teacher shortage, with low pay, poor working conditions, and the increasing use of contract teachers identified as major contributors.
A study led by Joshua Bleiberg from the University of Pittsburgh and Tuan Nguyen from the University of Kansas analysed teacher turnover across 40 US states over a five-year period (2016-2021). Their findings revealed that while attrition rates initially slowed during the early years of the pandemic, they rose sharply in 2021-22. Although there are signs of stabilisation, Bleiberg noted that disparities between school districts remain substantial, with some struggling more than others.
The study highlighted several key issues affecting teacher retention. The most significant was the large pay gap between districts, with teachers in lower-paying areas more likely to leave. Research by Quentin Brummet from the University of Chicago found that teachers in the highest-paid districts began their careers with salaries up to $40,000 higher than their peers in the lowest-paid districts. This disparity has remained largely unchanged over the past decade.
In addition to financial challenges, teachers have reported worsening working conditions, a trend that has accelerated since the pandemic. Many districts have turned to for-profit staffing agencies to fill vacancies, but contract teachers, who earn significantly less than their district-employed counterparts, often have less experience and fewer qualifications.
As teacher turnover continues to rise, experts warn that addressing these issues is crucial to stabilising the US education system.