Understanding the Factors that Lead to STEM Teacher Retention in U.S. Schools
Kathleen Burke
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Mathematics - STEM Teacher Education 5 Year
Faculty Research Mentor: Thomas Comollo
Abstract:
Title: Understanding the Factors that Lead to STEM Teacher Retention in U.S. SchoolsAuthor: Kathleen Burke, School of Integrative Science and Technology, Kean UniversityAbstract:Teacher retention at all levels of education has become very challenging in the past few years owing to many factors such as salaries, administration, and resources, as well as carry-over effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. In many states in the United States, teacher retention for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields has become especially difficult, with many states indicating shortages of teachers in these content areas. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand what school-related factors lead to STEM teacher retention in United States schools. A systematic review was performed to understand what other studies noted as some of the most important factors regarding STEM teacher retention. Studies were found by using the Google Scholar and ProQUEST databases through the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons at Kean University. This review concluded that when teachers are able to collaborate and have a supportive administration, it increases their job satisfaction and self-efficacy. Additionally, having a principal who majored in STEM, as well as the socioeconomic status of both the school and the school families had an impact on teachers’ decisions to remain in their jobs. Finally, salary satisfaction, as well as teacher autonomy, were also important factors influencing teacher retention. It is important for education at both the district, state, and even national levels to understand what impacts STEM teacher retention so that students can have access to quality STEM education in an increasingly technological world.Keywords: teacher retention, STEM teacher retention, STEM teacher, teacher retention factors