Teacher Attrition in Charter and Public Schools

Abstract

This paper examines attrition and retention rates among teachers in charter and traditional public schools. This study finds that among all teachers, there is no difference in the attrition rate between charter and traditional public school teachers. Among new teachers, charter teachers are 3.39 times more likely to leave teaching than their traditional public school counterparts. Among new teachers who voluntarily leave or move, teaching at a charter increases the odds of leaving by a factor of 3.04. The difference between the two rates indicates that charter schools may be exercising their freedom to let go of teachers which are not a good fit for their schools. Teachers with a higher opportunity cost of teaching, those teaching high school, those with graduate degrees, and those with grater responsibilities outside of the classroom are more likely to leave the profession.