Educator turnover rates decline, nearing pre-pandemic levels

Recent data from the American School District Panel (ASDP) indicates a decline in educator turnover rates towards pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a gradual return to normal conditions in the education sector. The report adds information from the 2023–2024 school year to ongoing studies of national turnover rates for public school teachers and principals. It highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a longer-term decrease in teachers' satisfaction, impacting turnover rates. Although the anticipated mass exodus of educators did not materialize, teacher turnover spiked after the 2021–2022 school year. However, recent data shows a consistent decline since then.

"According to reports from ASDP districts, teacher turnover nationally spiked in the 2021–2022 school year, reaching 4 percentage points above prepandemic levels," the report stated. The turnover rate slightly improved during 2022–2023, with further reduction noted in the 2023–2024 school year, where districts estimated an average 7 percent turnover, still above the pre-pandemic level of 6 percent.

The administrative data from North Carolina and Arkansas corroborate these findings, confirming a trend in recovering turnover rates. Nevertheless, recent figures for the 2023–2024 school year have yet to be verified with newer data sources.

Nationally, principal turnover similarly declined from pandemic peaks but plateaued at a higher rate. Districts estimated an average 8 percent turnover among principals during the 2023–2024 school year, a substantial decrease from the 16 percent observed in 2021–2022.

Urban districts have historically faced higher turnover rates compared to nonurban areas, a trend exacerbated during the pandemic, with urban districts reporting a 14 percent turnover in 2021–2022 versus 8 percent in suburban districts. However, urban turnover rates fell sharply to 9 percent in 2023–2024, nearing suburban and rural levels, which stood at 7 percent.

District-reported turnover rates for principals remained steady in urban and suburban regions but spiked in rural districts in 2021–2022, potentially due to fewer schools skewing percentage calculations with individual departures.

The report highlights some limitations in the data while offering a cautiously optimistic outlook. It acknowledges that turnover rates, while declining, remain above pre-pandemic levels and continue to present challenges for school districts. Notable portions of teachers express intentions to leave their positions, despite a more stable schooling environment.

"We are extremely grateful to the educators who agreed to participate in the panels," the report states, acknowledging the contributions of various individuals and organizations involved in gathering and analyzing the data. The ongoing analysis of national trends will continue to assess the situation in educational turnover.