Low Science and Math Teacher Retention: Causes, Consequences, and How Some Urban Middle and High Schools Are Making Progress

This National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research project examined teacher retention, particularly of science and mathematics teachers within the Boston Public Schools (BPS), by addressing these research questions: (1) What are the hard and soft costs to schools and to the district of having teachers come and go? (2) What explains why some schools tend to retain their teachers while other schools are less able to do so? and (3) What can the district and BPS do to reduce teacher turnover? CSE researchers gathered cost data at the district level. They worked with a small number of BPS middle and high schools where they are conducting interviews with teachers, principals, and other school personnel. They also gathered data through surveys and informal visits to a variety of school events. The data they collected resulted in a model of the cost of teacher turnover and an understanding of district and school policies and practices that enable schools to successfully retain their science and math workforce.