Teacher perspectives on factors that affect teacher attrition and retention in rural middle schools of North Carolina
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Teresa Holt Cowan (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Kathleen Jorissen
Abstract: Teacher attrition and retention in rural middle schools is a matter of concern in
North Carolina. The purpose of this mixed method study was to examine teacher
perspectives about teacher attrition and retention in rural middle schools of North
Carolina. Ten rural middle schools participated in the study. A group of thirty teachers
from these schools completed a survey. Four women and three men were subsequently
interviewed. Surveys and interviews were analyzed to identify patterns and themes from
the theoretical frameworks of characteristics, conditions and compensations.
Findings revealed three consistent themes for attrition and retention: family,
school, and self. Rural middle school teachers placed the needs and well-being of their
family before personal job satisfaction and their professional career. Retention was
maximized when the needs of the educators’ families were met. Attrition increased as the
families’ needs either changed or were no longer being satisfied. Rural educators made
sacrifices to their personal happiness and professional careers for their families.
Implications of the findings of the study are provided as programs and practices
that may influence attrition or retention. Programs and practices are recommended by
interviewees and the researcher. Findings concerning curriculum, working conditions,
and NCLB are included in the study.
Teacher perspectives on factors that affect teacher attrition and retention in rural middle schools of North Carolina
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Created on 6/1/2010
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2010
- Keywords
- Attrition, Middle schools, North Carolina, Retention, Rural, Teacher
- Subjects
- Middle school teachers -- Job satisfaction -- North Carolina
- Teacher turnover -- North Carolina -- Prevention
- Education, Rural -- North Carolina