Vaishali Honawar reports that 93 percent of teachers reported satisfaction with their jobs 10 years after entering the field, according to a new survey To Teach or Not to Teach? Teaching Experience and Preparation Among 1992-1993 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients 10 Years After College Researchers observed that attrition rates for teachers are lower than for other professionals.
The findings from the survey debunk several long-held views on teacher pay, turnover, and job satisfaction.
Only 13 percent of those who left teaching by 2003 gave teachers’ salaries as the reason for leaving. Forty-eight percent of those who remained in the profession said they were satisfied with their salaries.
This report makes common sense and contributes importantly to public policy discussions about teacher recruitment and retention.