Retirements and resignations rose in some districts during the pandemic and leaders expect higher retirement rates next year¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · qualitative r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2021 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Five districts reported more teachers resigning or retiring this year compared to recent years, citing distance learning as the primary reason. → Carver-Thomas 2021 q2 i? District leaders anticipated retirement rates could rise the following year, potentially exacerbating shortages. → Carver-Thomas 2021

Evidence¶

Carver-Thomas 2021¶

Carver-Thomas, D., Leung, M., & Burns, D. (2021). California teachers and COVID-19: How the pandemic is impacting the teacher workforce. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/california-covid-19-teacher-workforce doi:10.54300/987.779

q2 · i? · qualitative · r2

Fall 2020 interviews with California district leaders. Five districts reported increased resignations or retirements; in another five districts serving concentrations of students in poverty, retirements contributed to shortages.

"Five districts said that they have noticed more teachers resigning or retiring this year compared to recent years. In some cases, resignations and retirements offset the need for anticipated layoffs due to expected budget cuts."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Increased retirements and resignations contributed to shortages in most large districts surveyed — related
• District leaders report pandemic-era teacher workloads have at least doubled, contributing to burnout concerns and earlier-than-planned retirements — related
• Districts report severe substitute teacher shortages during the pandemic, straining remaining teachers who must cover absent colleagues' classes — related
• Retirement accounts for only a small portion of total teacher turnover — related
• California's teacher workforce is aging, with about 40% age 50 or older and 14% age 60 or older — related