US public school teachers face high turnover risk in new survey

A new survey released by the Walton Family Foundation, Gallup, and the Mattering Institute reveals that 25% of public school teachers in the United States are likely to leave their positions within the next year. The data shows that 12% of respondents are very likely to leave, while 13% are somewhat likely to do so.

The report highlights a significant crisis in educator morale, noting that only 35% of K-12 teachers feel they “matter a great deal” at their schools. Among those who reported feeling that they matter little or not at all, 68% experienced frequent burnout. There is a strong correlation between feeling valued and long-term career commitment; teachers who felt they mattered were more likely to intend to stay in the profession.

Demographic factors also influenced the findings. Teachers at private, independent, and charter schools reported higher levels of feeling valued compared to public school teachers. Additionally, age played a role in job satisfaction, with 47% of teachers aged 60 and older stating they matter a great deal, compared to between 31% and 34% in younger age groups. Special education teachers were also more likely to feel their work matters significantly.