This study examined teachers’ perceptions of their jobs and teacher turnover through an analysis of data from the National Center for Education Statistics Schools and Staffing Survey and Teacher Follow-Up Survey. Our analysis suggests that student discipline problems were a major reason for teachers’ dissatisfaction with their jobs, second only to low compensation. Private school teachers generally encountered fewer student discipline problems and perceived their professional lives more favorably than public school teachers, although private schools usually offer lower salaries than public schools. Minority teachers were less satisfied with work conditions and student discipline problems than nonminority teachers. These findings imply policy changes for teacher retention.
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