PSS teacher turnover rate at 11 percent

The average turnover rate for public school teachers from school year 2004 to 2008 was pegged at 11 percent, based on a recent report issued by the Public School System and the State Board of Education.

The system’s leadership team emphasized, though, that student achievement at 20 public schools showed a consistent increase during the five-year period.

The report, issued in March but only distributed last week, showed that the 2004 school year had a turnover rate of 11 percent. This jumped to 15 percent the year after (2005) but was reduced and maintained at 11 percent in 2006. The turnover rate showed a marked improvement in 2007 when it dropped to 8 percent, before slightly going up to 9 percent the year after (2008).

PSS admitted that the system has not conducted an in-depth analysis on the turnover rate, but cited that substantial research on teacher attrition indicates that teachers leave the profession based on “general reasons.” These include teacher ability, pay scale, and non-monetary aspects of teaching.

The report on teacher turnover rate was disclosed following concerns raised by the Association of Commonwealth Teachers that the “fast” turnover rate at public schools was a result of the HQT standards and requirements set by the Education Board. The association says the high rate of teachers leaving has a negative impact on student learning.

PSS disputes this, however, saying that student learning in public schools has been on the upswing after the implementation of the new teacher certification requirement, as reflected on the SAT-10:

* 2005—3rd grade, 37; 5th grade, 32; 6th grade, 30; 8th grade, 37; 9th grade, 32; and 11th grade, 33.

* 2006—3rd grade, 34; 5th grade, 34; 6th grade, 32; 8th grade, 34; 9th grade, 34; and 11th grade, 36.

* 2007—3rd grade, 36; 5th grade, 40; 6th grade, 35; 8th grade, 35; 9th grade, 37; and 11th grade, 36.

* 2008—3rd grade, 41; 5th grade, 40; 6th grade, 42; 8th grade, 37; 9th grade, 40; and 11th grade, 43.

According to PSS and BOE, these test results reflect that in the past four years, there has been progressive growth in student academic achievement.

Comparing school years 2007 and 2008, student gains on the SAT-10 showed an average of 6.6 percentile growth, which exceeds the 5 percentile learning growth target.

‘Highly qualified or highly effective?’

PSS identified four characteristics of teachers that are deemed important for student learning: high academic skills, teaching in the field in which they receive training, more than a few years of experience, and participation in high quality induction and professional development programs.

“The Praxis test series were developed by educators for educators…they measure content specific tests, pedagogical tests, and basic skills,” the report said.

Praxis I measures basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics while Praxis II measures knowledge of specific K-12 subjects.

PSS said that studies using national and state data sets have shown significant links between teacher education and licensure measures—including education coursework, credential status, and scores on licensure tests—and student achievement.