Why Texas Teachers Leave the Classroom: A Qualitative Look into Non-Retirement

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Title: Why Texas Teachers Leave the Classroom: A Qualitative Look into Non-Retirement
Language: English
Authors: Rebecca A. Wentworth, Jalene P. Potter, Daphne D. Johnson, Dustin M. Hebert
Source: AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice. 2024-2025 21(4):8-20.
Availability: AASA, The School Superintendent's Association. 1615 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-528-0700; Fax: 703-841-1543; e-mail: info@aasa.org; Web site: http://www.aasa.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Faculty Mobility, Teacher Salaries, Faculty Workload, Teacher Student Relationship, Leadership, Work Environment, Safety, School Culture, Teaching (Occupation), Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Educational Trends, Career Change
Geographic Terms: Texas
ISSN: 1550-9850
1931-6569
Abstract: The attrition of classroom teachers has garnered significant attention due to its impact on education. While past discourse focused on pay as the driving force behind departures, our study delves into the qualitative aspects of attrition. Reviewing a dataset spanning 40+ years, we explore multifaceted reasons behind teachers considering leaving the profession. Our findings, derived from 1,175 data points from Texas State Teachers Association members, reveal seven prevalent themes: Compensation, Workload, Support and Respect, Students, Leadership, Working Conditions and Safety, and Culture. These themes interconnect, painting a comprehensive picture of teachers feeling undervalued, overworked, and lacking support. School leaders and policymakers are crucial agents in mitigating attrition by fostering supportive environments and addressing systemic issues. This study underscores the imperative for informed policy decisions and further research to amplify teacher voices and improve retention efforts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Access URL: https://www.aasa.org/docs/default-source/publications/journal-of-scholarship-and-practice/winter-2025/why-texas-teachers-leave.pdf?sfvrsn=9fe80cfd_3
Accession Number: EJ1460135
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Why Texas Teachers Leave the Classroom: A Qualitative Look into Non-Retirement
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebecca+A%2E+Wentworth%22">Rebecca A. Wentworth</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jalene+P%2E+Potter%22">Jalene P. Potter</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Daphne+D%2E+Johnson%22">Daphne D. Johnson</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dustin+M%2E+Hebert%22">Dustin M. Hebert</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22AASA+Journal+of+Scholarship+%26+Practice%22"><i>AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice</i></searchLink>. 2024-2025 21(4):8-20.
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  Data: AASA, The School Superintendent's Association. 1615 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-528-0700; Fax: 703-841-1543; e-mail: info@aasa.org; Web site: http://www.aasa.org
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  Data: 13
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Faculty+Mobility%22">Faculty Mobility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Salaries%22">Teacher Salaries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Faculty+Workload%22">Faculty Workload</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Relationship%22">Teacher Student Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Leadership%22">Leadership</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work+Environment%22">Work Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Safety%22">Safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Culture%22">School Culture</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+%28Occupation%29%22">Teaching (Occupation)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Teachers%22">Secondary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Trends%22">Educational Trends</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Change%22">Career Change</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas%22">Texas</searchLink>
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  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 1550-9850<br />1931-6569
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The attrition of classroom teachers has garnered significant attention due to its impact on education. While past discourse focused on pay as the driving force behind departures, our study delves into the qualitative aspects of attrition. Reviewing a dataset spanning 40+ years, we explore multifaceted reasons behind teachers considering leaving the profession. Our findings, derived from 1,175 data points from Texas State Teachers Association members, reveal seven prevalent themes: Compensation, Workload, Support and Respect, Students, Leadership, Working Conditions and Safety, and Culture. These themes interconnect, painting a comprehensive picture of teachers feeling undervalued, overworked, and lacking support. School leaders and policymakers are crucial agents in mitigating attrition by fostering supportive environments and addressing systemic issues. This study underscores the imperative for informed policy decisions and further research to amplify teacher voices and improve retention efforts.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: <link linkTarget="URL" linkTerm="https://www.aasa.org/docs/default-source/publications/journal-of-scholarship-and-practice/winter-2025/why-texas-teachers-leave.pdf?sfvrsn=9fe80cfd_3" linkWindow="_blank">https://www.aasa.org/docs/default-source/publications/journal-of-scholarship-and-practice/winter-2025/why-texas-teachers-leave.pdf?sfvrsn=9fe80cfd_3</link>
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  Data: EJ1460135
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 8
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Faculty Mobility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Salaries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Faculty Workload
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Safety
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Culture
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching (Occupation)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Trends
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Texas
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Why Texas Teachers Leave the Classroom: A Qualitative Look into Non-Retirement
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            NameFull: Daphne D. Johnson
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