Introduction
In the modern educational environment, the issue of teacher attrition has become a subject of thorough research and discussion. This phenomenon has a significant impact on the quality of the study process and the functioning of the educational system. For a better understanding of this problem, the researchers examined various aspects and reasons that contribute to teachers leaving the profession. This literature review will present key sources and their analysis, which can help to observe and address the problem from different angles.
Issues and Factors
The article by Lumpkin C. provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of teachers quitting the profession, focusing on issues that are less frequently discussed. According to Lumpkin (2022), these reasons are “lack of all the things, the lack of staff, poor quantity of breaks, the little opportunity for career growth, and education becoming a business.” The author, who was a teacher herself and left the job because of the faced problems, presents real worries and thoughts of other educators. Lumpkin’s analysis emphasizes the importance of addressing critical issues, such as inadequate responsibility and support, which can lead to teachers losing motivation.
McKinsey & Company’s research deeply analyzes the factors that influence educators’ decisions to leave the profession. “Over the past decade, the annual teacher turnover rate has hovered around 8 percent nationally.” (Bryant et al., 2023). It gives some valid insights, highlighting the meaning of compensation, workload, and support at work. This paper is based on reliable data and gives a complex approach to the discussed problem.
Educational Process
The research by Carver-Thomas et al. examines the impact of teacher attrition on the educational process, specifically on the lack of diversity among teachers. Carver-Thomas et al. (2019) state, “Teacher turnover can contribute to labor market imbalances even when there are enough teachers to meet demand overall.” (p. 3). The scientists in this work utilize national-level data to demonstrate that the loss of teachers has a significant impact on the educational system, particularly in districts with an insufficient number of teachers.
The article by D. B. Coupland emphasizes the role of effective classroom management and decisive solutions to the issues of student misbehavior in the departure of teachers from the profession. It states that improving classroom management and giving teachers more autonomy can help reduce their turnover.
The Role of Parents in the Process of Education
The article by Bogue examines the psychology of parental irresponsibility, focusing on parents’ failure to hold their children accountable for their actions. The author uses real examples, such as the incident in the metro, which helps to depict the difficulties parents face. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of responsibility in the development of social skills and emotional intelligence in children, highlighting that the absence of such responsibility can harm children’s future success. This source is valuable for examining the challenges parents face during their children’s education.
In general, the author supports the statement that parents’ responsibility is profoundly connected to several emotional factors, such as distraction and guilt. The work of Coupland is relevant here, as well as “Fifty-one percent of the surveyed teachers listed ‘behavior’ as the primary reason for quitting.” (Coupland, 2023). As a result, parent-teacher collaboration should be a key component in helping children take responsibility for their actions.
Conclusion
To summarize, the reasons for teachers leaving the profession are complex and multifaceted. Reviewed sources provide crucial analysis and insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of this problem and suggest effective ways to solve it. Considering the reasons for teachers’ leaving work, researchers can focus their efforts on improving working conditions and providing support for educators.
References
Bogue, R. (2017). The Psychology of not holding children accountable. Thor Projects.
Bryant, J., Ram, S., Scott, D., & Williams, C. (2023). K–12 teachers are quitting. What would make them stay? McKinsey & Company.
Carver-Thomas, D., & Darling‐Hammond, L. (2019). The trouble with teacher turnover: How teacher attrition affects students and schools. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 27(36), p. 1-32.
Coupland, D. B. (2023). Want to Stem the Tide of Teachers Fleeing the Classroom? Empower Them to Lead. Governing.
Lumpkin, C. (2022). 5 Less talked about reasons why teachers quit. Cindy Lumpkin.