This study was conducted to better understand the teacher shortageand to identify ways to address it. The approach for this study supports the view that the shortageis rooted in poor teacherretention rather than an insufficient supply of teachers. Too many teachersleave the classroom for reasons other than retirement. This premature exodus has tipped the supply-and-demand scale, causing schools to hire under qualified teachers.
The shortagetouches schools in both sectors---public and private---therefore the study was conducted with a little-studied group of 1,200 private school teachers. Guided by the Price and Mueller theoretical model (2001), teacherperceptions were analyzed to explore ways to improve retention, identify professional policies and practices that are important for their growth, and assess attributes of environments that nurture ongoing learning. The findings were organized into practical action plans for schools to consider.
In general, teacherssay they are highly satisfied with teaching, are highly commitment to their schools, are not searching for other jobs, and are planning to stay in the teaching profession and at their present school. One departure from the theoretical model relates to extrinsic...