Report: Social and Emotional Skill Development in Schools Necessary for Teacher Retention

Previous research has found teaching ranks poorly in job satisfaction, psychological well-being and physical health compared to other professions.

To further understand the impact of stress on teachers and their students, the Southern Education Foundation (SEF) released a brief titled, “Teacher Stress and Burnout: The High Cost of Low Social and Emotional Development.” 

Titilayo Tinubu Ali“We know from research that the most important factor for students is the teacher in the classroom,” said Titilayo Tinubu Ali, co-author of the brief and senior advisor for research and policy at SEF. “Their well-being, their experience, their preparation and the tools that they can bring to the classroom.”

Between 1992 and 2005, the turnover rate among teachers increased from 5% to 8%. Since then, it has been stagnant—though teacher turnover rates are 70% higher at schools that largely serve students of color and 50% higher in Title I schools, according to the brief.

The twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice are expected to heighten the turnovers. RAND Corporation discovered that 23% of teachers were likely to leave the profession by the end of the 2020-2021 school year. While nearly half of Black teachers reported the same.

Why are teachers choosing to leave?

Stress.