IMPROVING TEACHER RETENTION
1
Addressing Novice Teacher Attrition: Literature Review
EDD8000
Advanced Studies in Education: Theory, Practice, and Purpose
Instructor: Dr. Pilcher
IMPROVING TEACHER RETENTION
2
Addressing Novice Teacher Attrition: Literature Review
“Teachers can have unparalleled and long-lasting positive impacts not just on their students’
academic successes, but on their students’ self-esteem.” ~Watson, Miller, Davis, & Carter
The topic of novice teacher attrition has long been a topic of concern for policy makers,
educators, and administrators who have responded to the issue with mentoring programs,
mandatory professional development, and a heightened effort to employ more “prepared”
teachers. However, in spite of these efforts, the number of novice teachers who leave the
profession continues to grow. Being an educator is one of the most important career choices an
educator can make so why then are so many teachers ending their careers just after it has begun.
This paper will discuss an overview of the topic of teacher attrition, how it relates to the
specialization of adult education, and a critical review of five research articles regarding teacher
attrition.
Overview of Teacher Attrition
Teacher attrition is the rate at which teachers at any level are leaving the profession. Each
year a tidal wave of new teachers enters classrooms across the country. Sadly, within three years,
approximately fifty percent of all new will leave education to pursue other careers. Because of
these numbers, there has been increasing concern about the exodus of teachers from the
classroom among administrators and policy makers. Research into this issue continues to grow
and stories are written to bring awareness to the personal perspectives and complex challenges
teachers face in the classroom. According to Dunn and Aiden Downey (2018) the issue of new
teacher turnover and/or attrition, particularly in urban and high-needs areas, can cost up to $2.2
billion dollars per year (p.209). The authors go on to discuss the fact that approximately 20
IMPROVING TEACHER RETENTION
3
percent of new teachers leave high-needs schools per year. With these numbers continuing to
grow, it is important to understand where the problem begins and how it can be fixed.
How Teacher Attrition relates to Adult Education
Teacher education is the foundation for all great teachers. It serves as the platform to
build on as teachers grow into the profession. Research shows that a good teacher program
provides the necessary skills and tools needed to survive the “hard” years and to be successful in
education. For these reasons, adult education is indirectly responsible for helping to lower to
rates at which teachers are leaving the profession. With a solid foundation and good preparation
at the college level, teachers have a better chance of making through the toughest times in the
classroom.
