Teacher Turnover and Teacher Shortages: An Organizational Analysis

May combine two claims.

Larger schools, public schools in large school districts, and urban public schools do not have especially high rates of teacher turnover.

“The data show, for example, that although high-poverty public schools have moderately higher rates, larger schools, public schools in large school districts, and urban public schools do not have especially high rates of teacher turnover.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Teacher retirements are increasing.

“although it is true that teacher retirements are increasing”

May combine two claims.

Teacher turnover is a significant phenomenon and a dominant factor behind the demand for new teachers and the difficulties schools encounter adequately staffing classrooms with qualified teachers.

“In brief, the results of the analysis show that teacher turnover is a significant phenomenon, and a dominant factor behind the demand for new teachers and the difficulties schools encounter adequately staffing classrooms with qualified teachers.”

May combine two claims.

Overall turnover rate in urban, high-poverty public schools is 14.4%, slightly above average; in small private schools is 22.8%, significantly higher.

“The overall rate of teacher turnover in urban, high-poverty public schools is slightly above average (14.4 %) and the overall rate in small private schools is significantly higher (22.8%).”

May combine two claims.

Private school teachers were more likely to leave teaching altogether, but less likely to move to other schools, than public school teachers.

“For instance, private school teachers were more likely to leave teaching altogether, but less likely to move to other schools, than were public school teachers.”

May combine two claims.

Overall turnover rate is 13.2% (migration 7.2% plus attrition 6.0%).

“The overall turnover rate is 13.2% (migration of 7.2% plus attrition of 6.0%).”

May combine two claims.

In 1993-1994, about 193,000 teachers newly entered; in the following 12 months about 213,000 (110%) left the occupation altogether.

“In 1993-1994, 3 years later, about 193,000 teachers newly entered the occupation, but in the following 12 months, about 213,000-equivalent to 110% of those just hired-left the occupation.”

May combine two claims.

In both public and private sectors, the effects of the four organizational conditions were significant, in the expected direction, and in most cases strong, with the exception of advanced salaries among public schools.

“Notably for the focus of this analysis, in both sectors the effects of the four organizational conditions were significant, in the expected direction, and in most cases strong (with the exception of advanced salaries among public schools).”

May combine two claims.

Special education and math/science teachers were more likely to migrate than other teachers, but neither was more likely to leave teaching altogether than other teachers, once other factors were controlled.

“Notably, although both special education and math/science teachers were more likely to migrate than other kinds of teachers, neither was more likely to leave teaching altogether than other teachers, once other factors were controlled.”

May combine two claims.

The degree of staffing problems varies greatly among different types of schools even in the same jurisdiction, and schools drawing from the same teacher supply pool can have significantly different staffing scenarios.

“The degree of staffing problems vary greatly among different types of schools even in the same jurisdiction, and schools ostensibly drawing from the same teacher supply pool can have significantly different staffing scenarios.”

May combine two claims.

Teacher retirements account for only a small portion of total turnover: 50,000 retirees in 1994-95, 24% of leavers, 12% of total turnover.

“For example, from 1994 to 1995 there were about 50,000 retirees, accounting for only 24% of the 213,000 leavers and only 12% of the total turnover of 418,000 (Ingersoll, 2001a).”

• cites Ingersoll, 2001aNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Teacher turnover rate was 15% from 1988 to 1989, 13.2% from 1991 to 1992, and 14.3% from 1994 to 1995, higher than the BNA average 11% and nurse 12%.

“Comparison of the TFS data with either the nurse's or the employee turnover rate suggests that teaching has a relatively high turnover rate: 15% from 1988 to 1989, 13.2% from 1991 to 1992, and 14.3% from 1994 to 1995.”

• cites Bureau of National Affairs, 1998Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites William M. Mercer, 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Among private schools, both non-Catholic and Catholic religious schools appeared to have more turnover than nonsectarian private schools, but in most models these coefficients did not quite achieve significance.

“Among private schools, both non-Catholic and Catholic religious schools appeared to have more turnover than did nonsectarian private schools, but in most of the models these coefficients did not quite achieve significance.”

May combine two claims.

Special education teachers are more likely to depart than other teachers, but the coefficient is slightly insignificant in model 1.

“The analysis also shows that special education teachers are more likely to depart than other teachers, but the coefficient is slightly insignificant in model 1”

May combine two claims.

Teachers in rural schools are less likely to turnover than those in urban schools, but there is little difference between suburban and urban schools.

“In addition, teachers in rural schools are less likely to turnover than are those in urban schools, but, interestingly, there is little difference in turnover between suburban and urban schools.”

May combine two claims.

Neither larger schools, public schools in large school districts, urban public schools, nor high-poverty public schools have the highest rates of teacher turnover.

“The data show that neither larger schools, public schools in large school districts, urban public schools, nor high-poverty public schools have the highest rates of teacher turnover.”

May combine two claims.

In urban high-poverty public schools, among those departing due to job dissatisfaction, one-fourth or more report each of five reasons: low salaries, lack of administrative support, student discipline problems, lack of student motivation, and lack of influence over decision-making.

“Of those who depart due to job dissatisfaction, one-fourth or more report each of the following five reasons: low salaries; a lack of support from the administration; student discipline problems; lack of student motivation; and lack of influence over decision-making.”

May combine two claims.

Personal reasons account for 33% of migration and 45% of attrition, more than retirement or staffing actions.

“Personal reasons, such as departures for pregnancy, child rearing, health problems, and family moves, are more often reported as reasons for turnover than either retirement or staffing actions (33% of migration and 45% of attrition).”

May combine two claims.

Small private schools lose, on average, almost one-fourth of their faculty each year, most of whom are full-time employees.

“In contrast to the relatively low turnover rates in large private schools, small private schools lose, on average, almost one-fourth of their faculty each year, most of whom are full-time employees.”

May combine two claims.

Staffing actions more often result in migration to other teaching jobs rather than leaving the teaching occupation altogether, and these cross-school movements are more common in urban high-poverty public schools than in small private schools (34% compared to 22%).

“Staffing actions more often result in migration to other teaching jobs rather than leaving the teaching occupation altogether, and these cross-school movements are more common in urban, highpoverty public schools than in small private schools (34% compared to 22%).”

May combine two claims.

School staffing cutbacks account for 41% of migration and 12% of attrition, larger than retirement.

“School staffing cutbacks due to lay-offs, school closings, and reorganizations account for a larger proportion of turnover (41% of migration and 12% of attrition) than does retirement.”

May combine two claims.

The variance component within states was 44 times the size of the variance component between states, with an intraclass correlation of .022.

“On the basis of a one-way random effects ANOVA model, the data show that the variance component within states was 44 times the size of the variance component between states.Intraclass correlation = .022.”

May combine two claims.

Teachers in small private schools are slightly more likely to depart for personal reasons than those in urban, high-poverty public schools (51% compared to 41%), but these motives are common to all schools.

“Teachers in small private schools are slightly more likely to depart for personal reasons than are those in urban, high-poverty public schools (51% compared to 41%), but the data also show that these motives are common to all schools.”

May combine two claims.

The relationship between percent minority enrollment and turnover was positive and statistically significant, but not strong.

“The relationship between percent minority enrollment and turnover was positive and statistically significant, but not strong.”

May combine two claims.

Dissatisfaction underlying attrition is most often due to low salaries, lack of support from school administration, lack of student motivation, and student discipline problems.

“Likewise, dissatisfaction underlying attrition is most often reported as being due to low salaries, lack of support from the school administration, lack of student motivation, and student discipline problems.”

May combine two claims.

Small private schools employ about 7.5% of the K-12 teaching force but account for about 13% of all teacher turnover.

“Small private schools employ about 7.5% of the K-12 teaching force, but account for about 13% of all teacher turnover.”

May combine two claims.

Dissatisfaction underlying migration is most often due to low salaries, lack of support from school administration, student discipline problems, and lack of teacher influence over decisionmaking.

“Dissatisfaction underlying migration is most often listed as being due to low salaries, lack of support from the school administration, student discipline problems, and lack of teacher influence over decisionmaking.”

May combine two claims.

Retirement accounts for less than one-third of those leaving the occupation (27%) and only 12% of total turnover.

“The latter actually accounts for less than one-third of those leaving the occupation (27%) and only a small part (12%) of total turnover (movers and leavers).”

May combine two claims.

The SASS/TFS dataset is large, comprehensive, nationally representative, and includes teacher migration, teacher attrition, reasons for departures, and information on school characteristics and conditions.

“Unlike most previous data sources, this dataset is large, comprehensive, nationally representative, and includes teacher migration, teacher attrition, the reasons teachers themselves give for their departures, and a wide range of information on the characteristics and conditions of elementary and secondary schools.”

• cites Haggstrom, Darling-Hammond, & Grissmer, 1988Not checked — no full text of the source
• cites Ingersoll, 1995bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The regression models include control variables for teacher characteristics: race, gender, age, and subject/field of teaching.

“Following previous research on teacher turnover, in the regression models I include control variables for several characteristics of teachers: race, gender, age, and subject/field of teaching.”

May combine two claims.

Among the most important organizational conditions affecting employee attachment are compensation structure, administrative support, conflict and strife, and employee input into policies.

“Researchers have found that among the most important of these organizational conditions are the compensation structure for employees; the level of administrative support, especially for new employees; the degree of conflict and strife within the organization; and the degree of employee input into and influence over organization policies.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

High levels of employee turnover are both cause and effect of ineffectiveness and low performance in organizations.

“a central finding in this literature is that high levels of employee turnover are both cause and effect of ineffectiveness and low performance in organizations.”

May combine two claims.

An overall lack of supply is neither the sole nor dominant factor behind staffing problems.

“however, the data suggest that an overall lack of supply is neither the sole, nor dominant factor, behind staffing problems.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: A sufficient teacher supply pool would ease replacement of departing teachers.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The analysis controls for teacher and school factors before focusing on the effects of the four organizational conditions.

“Finally, and only after controlling for the above teacher and school factors, I focus on the effects of four measures reflecting the four organizational conditions introduced earlier.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Employee turnover is especially consequential in organizations with uncertain and nonroutine technologies and production processes requiring extensive interaction among participants.

“employee turnover is especially consequential in organizations that have uncertain and nonroutine technologies and production processes requiring extensive interaction among participants.”

• cites Burns & Stalker, 1961Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Kanter, 1977Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Likert, 1967Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Fully understanding turnover requires examining it at the level of the organization.

“fully understanding turnover requires examining it at the level of the organization”

May combine two claims.

The rate of turnover in private schools may be ameliorated by their higher levels of administrative support, higher levels of faculty influence, and lower levels of student discipline problems; once these are controlled, the rate of turnover in these schools increases.

“This suggests that the rate of turnover in private schools may be ameliorated by their higher levels of administrative support, higher levels of faculty influence, and lower levels of student discipline problems and, hence, once these are controlled, the rate of turnover in these schools increases.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Fully understanding turnover requires examining the character and conditions of the organizations within which employees work.

“fully understanding turnover requires examining the character and conditions of the organizations within which employees work”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

These four conditions are among the most important aspects of school organization and are policy amenable.

“These four conditions are a useful focus because they have also been found to be among the most important aspects of school organization and are”

• cites Goodlad, 1984Not checked — no full text of the source
• cites Metz, 1986Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Newman, Rutter, & Smith, 1989Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Schools are characterized by an uncertain and nonroutine technology and by dependence on commitment and cohesion among members.

“Schools have traditionally been identified as a key example of organizations characterized by an uncertain and nonroutine technology and by dependence on commitment and cohesion among members”

• cites Bidwell, 1965Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Ingersoll, 1993Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Lortie, 1975Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The SASS data were collected by the U.S. Census Bureau for NCES from a random sample of schools stratified by state, public/private sector, and school level.

“The U.S. Census Bureau (1998) collected the SASS data for NCES from a random sample of schools stratified by state, public/private sector, and school level.”

• cites U.S. Census Bureau, 1998Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

From an organizational-level perspective, employee migration is as relevant as employee attrition.

“From an organizational-level perspective, employee migration is as relevant as employee attrition.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The regression models include school characteristics: school level, size, urbanicity, sector, poverty of student population, and private school orientation.

“in the regression models I include, as independent variables, school characteristics typically found to be important in this literature: school level, size, urbanicity, sector, the level of poverty of the student population, and the orientation or affiliation for private schools”

• cites Bidwell & Quiroz, 1991 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Bryk, Lee, & Smith, 1990Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Chubb & Moe, 1990Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The measures of student discipline problems, faculty influence, and administrative support are school means of the reports of the total SASS teacher sample for each school, not limited to the smaller TFS sample.

“The measures of student discipline problems, faculty influence and administrative support are all school means of the reports of the total SASS teacher sample for each school and not limited to the reports of those in the smaller TFS sample.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The four organizational conditions (compensation, administrative support, conflict, input) have consistently been found to be crucial for employee turnover.

“I focus on a set of four particular organizational conditions in schools that, as discussed above, have consistently been found to be crucial for employee turnover”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The analysis uses multilevel regression (PROC GENMOD in SAS) to account for variation between teachers within schools and between teaching staffs across schools, adjust for nonrandom clustering, and include design weights.

“The analysis uses PROC GENMOD (SAS), a multilevel regression program that allows for logistic regression, adjusts for the nonrandom clustering of teachers within schools resulting from the multilevel sample, and finally, allows for the inclusion of design weights.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Understanding employee turnover is important because of its link to the performance and effectiveness of organizations.

“understanding employee turnover is important because of its link to the performance and effectiveness of organizations”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

An alternative solution to school staffing problems is to decrease the demand for new teachers by decreasing turnover.

“Rather than increase the quantity of teacher supply, an alternative solution to school staffing problems, implied by this analysis, is to decrease the demand for new teachers by decreasing turnover.”

May combine two claims.

Current policies will not only fail to solve school staffing problems, but also divert attention from the primary underlying problem-the manner in which teachers and schools are managed.

“Current policies will not only fail to solve school staffing problems, but this analysis suggests that they also divert attention from the primary underlying problem-the manner in which teachers and schools are managed.”

May combine two claims.

Increases in student enrollment and increases in teacher retirement are not the primary factors at the root of staffing difficulties.

“Moreover, this analysis suggests that increases in student enrollment and increases in teacher retirement are not the primary factors at the root of staffing difficulties, as current educational theory holds.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Members who disagree with the policies of an organization face three basic options: exit, voice, or loyalty.

“To use Hirschman's classic (1970) framework, members who disagree with the policies of an organization face three basic options: exit, voice, or loyalty.”

• cites Hirschman, 1970Not checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

High levels of teacher turnover in small private schools are of both theoretical and policy concern because these are the very schools that presumably are most likely to have a performance-enhancing, tight-knit community.

“But, in addition, high levels of teacher turnover in small private schools are of both theoretical and policy concern because these are the very schools that presumably are most likely to have a performance-enhancing, tight-knit community.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Small private schools are the schools most likely to have a performance-enhancing, tight-knit community.

May combine two claims.

The data show that teacher turnover is a significant phenomenon and a dominant factor driving demand for new teachers and creating school staffing problems.

“The data show that teacher turnover is a significant phenomenon and a dominant factor driving demand for new teachers and, in turn, creating school staffing problems.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The presence of a sense of community and cohesion among families, teachers, and students is important for the success of schools.

“Educational sociologists, in particular, have long held that the presence of a sense of community and cohesion among families, teachers, and students is important for the success of schools (e.g., Durkheim, 1961;Waller, 1932;Parsons, 1959;Coleman & Hoffer, 1987;Grant, 1988;Rosenholtz, 1989).”

• cites Durkheim, 1961Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Waller, 1932 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Parsons, 1959Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Teachers in private schools consistently report higher levels of job satisfaction and more positive school climates than do teachers in other kinds of schools.

“These findings stand out because teachers in private schools consistently report higher levels of job satisfaction and more positive school climates than do teachers in other kinds of schools (e.g., Ingersoll, 1997;Reyes, 1990).”

• cites Ingersoll, 1997Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Reyes, 1990Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

High levels of employee turnover are tied to how well organizations function.

“Underlying my analysis is the premise, drawn from the sociology of organizations, occupations, and work, that high levels of employee turnover are tied to how well organizations function.”

May combine two claims.

Although student enrollments are increasing, the demand for new teachers is primarily due to teachers moving from or leaving their jobs at relatively high rates.

“Although it is true that student enrollments are increasing, the demand for new teachers is primarily due to teachers moving from or leaving their jobs at relatively high rates.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

High rates of teacher turnover are of concern not only because they may indicate underlying problems in how well schools function, but also because they can be disruptive for the quality of school community and performance.

“From this perspective, high rates of teacher turnover are of concern not only because they may be an indication of underlying problems in how well schools function, but also because they can be disruptive, in and of themselves, for the quality of school community and performance.”

May combine two claims.

Improvements in organizational conditions-increased support from the school administration, reduction of student discipline problems, enhanced faculty input into school decision-making, and increased salaries-would contribute to lower rates of teacher turnover.

“The data suggest that improvements in organizational conditions, such as increased support from the school administration, reduction of student discipline problems, and enhanced faculty input into school decision-making and increased salaries, would all contribute to lower rates of turnover, thus diminish school staffing problems, and ultimately aid the performance of schools.”

May combine two claims.

Lower rates of turnover would diminish school staffing problems and ultimately aid the performance of schools.

“The data suggest that improvements in organizational conditions, such as increased support from the school administration, reduction of student discipline problems, and enhanced faculty input into school decision-making and increased salaries, would all contribute to lower rates of turnover, thus diminish school staffing problems, and ultimately aid the performance of schools.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Large public schools, especially those in urban, high-poverty areas, are less likely to exhibit a sense of community.

“In general, large public schools, especially those in urban, high-poverty areas, are often cited as less likely to exhibit a sense of community (e.g., Bryk, Lee, & Smith, 1990).”

• cites Bryk, Lee, & Smith, 1990Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Self-report findings are highly consistent with prior regression models, lending confidence to both stages of the analysis.

“These findings from the self-report data are highly consistent with the results in the prior regression models, lending confidence to both stages of the analysis.”

May combine two claims.

Teacher supply and demand imbalances and attendant school staffing problems are neither synonymous with, nor primarily caused by, teacher shortages in the technical sense of a supply-side deficit of qualified candidates.

“These findings suggest that teacher supply and demand imbalances and attendant school staffing problems are neither synonymous with, nor primarily caused by, teacher shortages in the technical sense of a supply-side deficit of qualified candidates.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The effectiveness of private schools, especially religiously oriented ones, is tied to a coherent and unified mission and sense of community.

“Moreover, some researchers have tied the effectiveness of private schools, especially the religiously oriented, to a coherent and unified mission and sense of community (e.g., Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993;Coleman & Hoffer, 1987).”

• cites Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Coleman & Hoffer, 1987Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing).

Small schools are more likely to have a communal climate.

“In contrast, many have argued that small schools are more likely to have a communal climate, providing support for a”

• cites Bryk, Lee, & Smith, 1990Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Guthrie, 1979 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Walberg & Walberg, 1994 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source