Research: Turnover approaches zero when teachers are given influence in the school
Research shows that as teachers are given greater control over their work, job satisfaction increases. See this stunning graphic on the effects of teacher control on turnover, by Richard Ingersoll of the University of Pennsylvania:
See a full sized version of the graph here.
In his 2003 book Who Controls Teachers' Work?, Ingersoll found that as teachers are given greater control over their work voluntary turnover goes from 50 percent to near zero.
Ingersoll’s research showed that where teacher involvement in decision-making was low, turnover was high. But where the involvement of teachers in school decision-making was high, turnover tended to be low. The school culture improved, and job satisfaction rose.
As policy makers and school leaders grapple with how to decrease 50 percent attrition by teachers in their first five years, this powerful notion of teacher-control may be a key both to attracting and retaining top talent.
August 23, 2010 - 8:18am
I recently retired from my role as principal of a large elementary school in Ottawa, Canada and currently have a consulting company which supports school leaders in making deep, sustainable change in education. My last school had a turnover rate of 2% and an absentee rate well less than the District average. This was due to the culture of empowerment, trust and mutual respect which evolved in the school over my ten years there. All staff had leadership responsibilities in areas of their choice and students were also empowered to take leadership roles in their areas of interest. When you create an environment where all people feel valued, supported and challenged, people want to be there - turnover and absenteeism become irrelevant as you work together as a team to maximize student learning, growth and character development.
August 26, 2010 - 7:40pm
Totally agree , but hardly think this rocket science ! But as it isn't why do so few people operate their schools like this ? Why is it so hard to value, support and challenge each other ?
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