According to a research study conducted by the National Education Association about 2 years ago, fifty percent of all new teachers quit within the first 5 years. This high percentage of people leaving the profession is due to poor working conditions and low salaries. If you consider today’s poor economic conditions and do a more recent study, you may find that the percentage has actually increased.

New teachers simply do not earn enough money to pay for an apartment, car payment, student loans, and other basic necessities of life. This presents a huge problem for the education sector as great potential teachers seek other careers mainly because of higher pay.

This mass exodus out of teaching is nothing new. Experts, political leaders, and administrators have known this for at least a decade. Instead of making the obvious decision and increase teacher salaries, most school districts put things in place such as a mentor or buddy program, which have shown very little results. It’s like putting a bandage on an artery that has been cut.

Most teachers who stay in the profession have second jobs or spouses that handle the major responsibilities of the household.

Who are hurt the most?

Well, it’s the students of course!

Plus, tax payers end up pay in the billions nationally for programs that support teacher retention. Do you see a problem here? We pay billions for teacher retention programs instead of taking that money to increase teacher pay.

May be someone smart person will figure it out some day.

What is your take on this?