on teacher turnover

My school experienced very high turnover this year -- more than 50% of our staff quit or was asked to leave over the course of the school year. Until about February, we had a teacher leaving every time I turned around. In one third-grade classroom this year, there were four teachers.

I can tell you firsthand that teacher turnover is extremely problematic. First of all, the kids always seem to think that it was their fault. Other teachers feel as though they are on a sinking ship. The new teacher has to start all over with routines and management, wasting valuable instructional time. The staff weakens as a community.

Shockingly, researchers have found the same thing:

Now, a significant new study by researchers Susanna Loeb of Stanford University, Matthew Ronfeldt of the University of Michigan and Jim Wyckoff of the University of Virginia upends Hannaway’s assumption. The study, “How Teacher Turnover Hurts Student Achievement,” concludes that, separate from the relative quality of teachers who may be brought in to replace those who leave, teacher turnover itself harms a school. Turnover affects morale and the professional culture at a school. It weakens the knowledge base of the staff about students and the community. It weakens collegiality, professional support and trust that teachers depend on in their efforts to improve achievement.