AARP Knowledge Management, NRTA: AARP's Educator Community, and HarrisInteractive Inc.2003
This report from the American Association of Retired Persons uses survey data from teachers to determine what makes fine instructors leave the classroom and what policymakers can do to try to get them to stay. The report looks at the problem through the eyes of teachers - those that have remained and those who opted to leave. Some of the reasons former teachers cited for leaving were lack of support from administration, low pay, and feeling undervalued and under-appreciated by society and the community. "Everyone knows it is one of the most important fields of society, but actions do not follow suit with this knowledge," cites one former teacher. Based on the teachers' responses, rewarding and recognizing performance and improving communication and flexibility between teachers and administration can help schools recruit and retain motivated teachers. Yes, this report is marred by familiar teacher gripes about how tough a row they've picked to hoe. And it's not exactly ground-breaking. But worth a look. Check it out at http://research.aarp.org/general/exodus.pdf.
