Skip Navigation
Title:  Attrition of Public School Mathematics and Science Teachers
Description: Using data from the Teacher Follow-up Survey (TFS), this Issue Brief reports on trends in the attrition of public school mathematics and science teachers over a 16-year period and examines the reasons given by mathematics and science teachers for leaving teaching employment. Findings from the analysis indicate that the percentage of public school mathematics and science teachers who left teaching employment did not change measurably between 1988–89 and 2004–05. However, the percentage of other public school teachers who left teaching employment did increase over the same period. Differences were found between mathematics and science leavers and other leavers. For example, of those teachers with a regular or standard certification, a smaller percentage of mathematics and science teachers than other teachers left teaching employment. In addition, when asked to rate various reasons for leaving the teaching profession, greater percentages of mathematics and science leavers than other leavers rated better salary or benefits as very important or extremely important.
Online Availability:
Cover Date: May 2008
Web Release: May 19, 2008
Print Release:
Publication #: NCES 2008077
General Ordering Information
Center/Program: NCES
Authors:
Type of Product: Issue Brief
Survey/Program Areas: Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS)
Keywords:
Questions: For questions about the content of this Issue Brief, please contact:
Rebecca Bielamowicz.