Who Will Stay and Who Will Leave? Predicting Secondary English Teacher Attrition Risk

Abstract

Although there are considerable large-scale data on teacher attrition, few researchers have culled information specifically related to English teachers’ risk for attrition. This study examines the effects of teacher characteristics, teaching conditions, student variables, self-efficacy, external support, and salary on secondary English language arts teachers’ attrition risk. Data from the 2003-2004 Schools and Staffing Survey, a comprehensive nationally representative survey of teachers, principals, and schools conducted by the National Center for Educational Statistics, were examined. Based on logistic regression analysis, the three most significant predictors for teacher attrition risk were (a) being a minority teacher, (b) years of teaching experience, and (c) teacher apathy. Implications for future investigations of English teacher retention and attrition are discussed.