Document Type
Report
Publication Date
3-13-2023
Keywords
COVID 19, teacher turnover, levels of stress, burnout, teacher shortages
Abstract
In this brief, we examine teacher turnover in the state of Arkansas both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with available reports from Washington State, North Carolina, and South Carolina, we find evidence of increased teacher turnover in Arkansas entering the current school year. However, a large proportion of this turnover can be explained not by teachers leaving the education sector but switching to non-instructional roles such as principals or instructional coaches. The use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds may be driving these transitions. A survey of schools conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics in January of 2022 found that 30% of vacancies were newly created positions. We additionally find that many of those teachers who did leave the education sector did not find immediate employment in other sectors which may indicate that these teachers might be more likely to return to the teaching profession if their concerns are addressed.
Series Title
EDRE Research Brief
Series Number
2023-01
Citation
Camp, A., Zamarro, G., & McGee, J. B. (2023). Movers, Switchers, and Exiters: Teacher Turnover during COVID-19. Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/edrepub/142
Included in
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Other Educational Administration and Supervision Commons