NORTH CAROLINA -- A new report says fewer teachers are leaving North Carolina classrooms, but concerns still linger about the future of educators across our state.
- Fewer teachers left classrooms last year than the previous couple of years
- The number of beginner teachers are leaving the classroom in greater numbers than experienced teachers
- Most teachers list personal reasons for departing, but 10 percent who left plan to teach in another state
Our state Department of Education crunched the numbers and revealed more than 7,600 teachers left North Carolina classrooms last year. That's down from last year and the year before.
But even with teacher turnover down slightly, the reality is veteran teachers will retire and that leaves this burning question, "will there be enough experienced teachers in the classroom to educate our students?"
A new report showed the number of beginner teachers, with fewer than three years of experience, are leaving the classroom in much greater numbers than experienced and licensed teachers.
More than 1,900 "beginning teachers" left their position last year.
The report says most teachers list personal reasons for departing. But the Public School Forum of NC takes that finding one step further stating about one out of every 10 teachers, roughly 10 percent who left plan to teach in another state.
The highest teacher turnover is in what's considered "high need" districts along the I-95 corridor.
Many point to "teacher pay" as a big reason for turnover. While salaries have increased, the forum says North Carolina still ranks very low on a national level.
The forum also highlights lack of funding for "professional development" and "master's pay," saying those investments would boost teacher recruitment and retention tremendously.
This draft report will be presented to state lawmakers over the next week.
