Teacher attrition is one of the foremost problems facing special education in the next decade. Little information exists, however, that describes the variables that affect teacher attrition and their interrelationships. Thus, we present a conceptual model for studying teacher attrition and retention. The conceptual model incorporates historical, environmental, and external factors believed to influence teachers' decisions to continue teaching or to leave the classroom. Factors delineated in the conceptual model and their interrelationships are discussed in light of the supporting literature. Finally, we use the conceptual framework and accompanying literature to suggest implications for future teacher preparation research.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Akin, J.N. (1988). 1988 Teacher supplyldemand report. Addison, IL: Association for School, College, and University Staffing.
2.
Ashton, P.T., & Webb, R.B. (1986). Making a difference: Teachers' sense of efficacy and student achievement. New York: Longman.
3.
Banks, S., & Necco, E. (1987). Alternative certification, educational training, and job longevity. Action in Teacher Education, 9(1), 67-73.
4.
Billingsley, B.S. (1993). Teacher retention and attrition in special and general education: A critical review of the literature. Journal of Special Education, 27, 137-174.
5.
Billingsley, B.S., & Cross, L.H. (1991). Teachers' decisions to transfer from special to general education. Journal of Special Education, 24, 496-511.
6.
Billingsley, B.S., & Cross, L.H. (1992). Predictors of commitment, job satisfaction, and intent to stay in teaching: A comparison of general and special educators . Journal of Special Education, 25, 453-471.
7.
Blanton, L.P. (1992). Preservice education: Essential knowledge for the effective special education teacher. Teacher Education and Special Education, 15, 87-96.
8.
Bloland, P.A., & Selby, T.J. (1980). Factors associated with career change among secondary school teachers: A review of the literature. Educational Research Quarterly, 5(3), 13-24.
9.
Boe, E.E. (1991, July). National and state teacher attrition data: Analysis and policy implications. Paper presented at the Elementary/Secondary Education Data Conference. National Center for Educational Statistics. U.S. Department of Education.
10.
Bridge, J.T., Cunningham, C.H., & Forsbach, J. (1978, April). Faculty stability and effective schools . NASSP Bulletin, pp. 36-41.
11.
Brofenbrenner, U. (1976). The experimental ecology of education. Educational Researcher, 5, 5-15.
12.
Brownell, M.T., & Smith, S.W. (1992). Attrition/ retention of special education teachers: Critique of current research and recommendations for retention efforts. Teacher Education and Special Education, 15, 229-248.
13.
Brownell, M.T., Smith, S.W., & Lenk, L. (1993, April). Teacher attrition in special education: Qualitative inquiry into teachers' decisions to stay in or leave the classroom . Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Atlanta, GA.
14.
Chapman, D.W. (1983). A model of the influences on teacher retention . Journal of Teacher Education, 34, 43-49.
15.
Chapman, D.W. (1984). Teacher retention: The test of a model. American Educational Research Journal, 21, 645-658.
16.
Chapman, D.W., & Green, M.S. (1986). Teacher retention: A further examination. Journal of Educational Research, 79, 273-279.
17.
Chapman, D.W., & Hutcheson, S.M. (1982). Attrition from teaching careers: A discrimination analysis. American Educational Research Journal, 19, 93-105.
18.
Crane, S.J., & Iwanicki, E.F. (1986). Perceived role conflict, role ambiguity, and burnout among special education teachers. Remedial and Special Education, 7(2), 24-31.
19.
Cross, L.H. (1987, February). Teacher crisis: Myth or reality revisited. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of theAmerican Educational Research Association, Washington, DC.
20.
Cuban, L. (1992). The corporate myth of reforming public schools . Phi Delta Kappan, 74, 157-159.
21.
Dangel, H.L., Bunch, A.W., & Coopman, M.P. (1987). Attrition among teachers of learning disabled students. Learning Disabilities Focus, 2, 80-86.
22.
Dworkin, A.G. (1980). The changing demography of public school teachers: Some implications for faculty turnover in urban areas. Sociology of Education, 53(2), 65-73.
23.
Frank, A.R., & Keith, T.Z. (1984). Academic abilities of persons entering and remaining in special education. Exceptional Children, 51, 76-77.
24.
George, N.L., George, M.P., & Grosenick, J.K. (1992). Correlates of teachers' career decisions in the field of behavior disorders. Unpublished manuscript, University of Oregon, Department of Special Education, Eugene.
25.
Gosnell, J.W. (1977). The relationship between work experience and occupational aspiration and attrition from teaching. The Clearinghouse , 51, 176-179.
26.
Grissmer, D.W., & Kirby, S.N. (1987). Teaching attrition: The uphill climb to staff the Nation's schools. (Report no. 0-8330-0869-2) Santa Monica, CA: The Rand Corporation. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 291 735).
27.
Hayes, L.H., & Ross, D.D. (1989). Trust versus control: The impact of school leadership on teacher reflection. Qualitative Studies in Education, 2, 335-350.
28.
Heyns, B. (1988). Educational defectors: A first look at teacher attrition in the NLS-72. Educational Researcher, 17(3), 24-32.
29.
Huling-Austin, L. (1990). Teacher induction programs and internships. In W. R. Houston, M. Haberman, & J. Sikula (Eds.), Handbook of research on teacher education: A project of theAssociation of Teacher Educators. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.
30.
Illinois State Board of Education. (1981). Illinois supply and demand for special education personnel. Springfield, IL: State Board of Education.
31.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1990, 20 U.S.C. § Chapter 33 (1990).
32.
Kauffman, J.M. (1992). Feeling our way along an unfamiliar path: Learning about teaching with cases. Commonwealth Center News, 5, 1.
33.
Lawrenson, G.M., & McKinnon, A.J. (1982). A survey of classroom teachers of the emotionally disturbed: Attrition and burnout factors. Behavioral Disorders, 8, 1-49.
34.
Lauritzen, P. (1986). Comprehensive assessment of service needs for special education. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
35.
Littrell, P.C., Billingsley, B.S., & Cross, L.H. (1992). The effects of principal support on general and special educators' stress, job satisfaction, school commitment, health, and intent to stay in teacbing. Virginia Department of Education .
36.
Mani, M.N.G. (1989). Analysis of the factors contributing to the retention of special education teachers in Colorado. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Northern Colorado). Dissertation Abstracts International , 50, 07A.
37.
McKnab, P. (1983). Special education personnel attrition in Kansas, 1976 to 1982: A summary of attrition rates and an analysis of reasons for quitting. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Division of Personnel Preparation. Washington, DC. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 238 231).
38.
Metzke, L.K. (1988). A study of the causes of teacher attrition in regular and special education in Wisconsin. (Doctoral dissertation, Marquette University, WI). Dissertation Abstracts International, 50, 42A.
39.
Morris, J., & Sherman, J.D. (1981). Generalizability of an organizational commitment model. Academy of Management Journal, 24, 512-526.
40.
Mowday, R.T., Porter, L.W., & Steers, R.M. (1982). Employee-organization linkables: The psychology of commitment, absenteeism, and turnover. New York: Academic Press.
41.
Murnane, R., Singer, J.D., & Willett, J.B. (1988). The career paths of teachers: Implications for teacher supply and methodological lessons for research. Educational Researcher, 17(6), 22-30.
42.
Murnane, R.J., Singer, J.D., & Willett, J.B. (1989). The influences of salaries and "opportunity costs" on teachers' career choices: Evidence from North Carolina. Harvard Educational Review, 59, 325-346.
43.
National Association of State Directors of Special Education. (1990, May). Special education faces a mounting crisis: How to recruit, train, and hold on to qualified teachers and related services personnel. Liaison Bulletin. Washington, DC: Author.
44.
National Center for Education Statistics. ( 1991, July). Careers in teaching: Following members of the high school class of 1972 in and out of teaching. U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC.
45.
Pajares, M.F. (1992). Teachers' beliefs and educational research: Cleaning up a messy construct. Review of Educational Research, 62, 307-332.
46.
Platt, J.M., & Olson, J. (1990). Why teachers are leaving special education: Implications for preservice and inservice educators. Teacher Education and Special Education, 13, 192-196.
47.
Rosenholtz, S.J. (1989a). Teacher's workplace: The social organization of schools. New York: Longman.
48.
Rosenholtz, S.J. (1989b). Workplace conditions that affect teacher quality and commitment: Implications for teacher induction programs. Elementary School Journal, 89, 421-439.
49.
Rosenholtz, S.J., & Simpson, C. (1990). Workplace conditions and the rise and fall of teachers' commitment. Sociology of Education, 63, 241-257.
50.
Schlecty, P.C., & Vance, V.S. (1983). Recruitment, selection, and retention: The shape of the teaching force. The Elementary School Jourrtal, 83, 471-487.
51.
Singer, J.D. (1993a). Are special educators' career paths special? Exceptional Children, 59, 262-279.
52.
Singer, J.D. (1993b). Once is not enough: Former special educators who return to teaching. Exceptional Children, 60, 58-72.
53.
Skrtic, T.M. (1991). Behind special education: A critical analysis of professional culture and school organization. Denver, CO: Love.
54.
Smith-Davis, J. (1989). Alternative routes to teacher certification. National Clearinghouse for Professionals in Special Education. Washington, DC.
55.
Smith-Davis, J., & Murray, K. (1991, February). From the field: A resource report on approaches to alleviate personnel shortages in special education. Reston, VA: The Council for Exceptional Children, National CSPD Collaboration Institute Project.
56.
Stallings, J.A., & Kowalski, T. (1990). Research on professional development schools. In W. R. Houston, M. Haberman, & J. Sikula (Eds.), Handbook of research on teacher education: A project of the association of teacher educators. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.
57.
Sweeney, J.D., Warren, R.D., & Kemis, M.R. (1991, April). Testing a career path model for teachers . Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 339691).
58.
Theobald, N.D. (1989, April). Whether in knowledge or in ignorance: An econometric model of K-12 public school teacher retention. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. San Francisco, CA. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 307688).
59.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (1987). First-year teacher induction program. Counterpoint, 7(3), 13.
60.
U.S. Department of Education. (1990). Twelfth annual report to Congress on the implementation of Public Law 94-142: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office.
61.
U.S. Department of Education. (1991). Thirteenth annual report to Congress on the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Washington, DC: Author.
62.
White, J.S. (1989, May). Special education personnel in Idaho: A statewide study of attrition, needs, and opinions. Boise, ID: Idaho Department of Education.
63.
Yee, S.M. (1990). Careers in the classroom: When teaching is more than a job. New York: Teachers College Press.
