Brief
Survey finds one in four U.S. public‑school teachers likely to quit within a year
Only a third of teachers feel they matter a great deal, and burnout is high among those who feel undervalued.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A survey released Wednesday by the Walton Family Foundation, Gallup and the Mattering Institute found that 25% of U.S. public‑school teachers say they are likely to quit within the next 12 months.
What happened
The study reports that just 35% of K‑12 educators feel they “matter a great deal” at their schools, while 19% feel they matter little or not at all. Among teachers who feel undervalued, 68% describe frequent burnout and fewer than half intend to stay in education. Private, independent or charter‑school teachers are more likely to feel valued than their public‑school peers.
What the reports add
The survey shows age influences satisfaction: 47% of teachers aged 60 or older feel they matter a great deal, compared with 31‑34% of younger teachers. Special‑education teachers are also more likely to feel valued. Investment scores correlate with turnover intent: 41% of educators with low scores plan to leave, versus 24% with moderate scores and 12% with high scores.
What was said
“The findings of our study reveal a troubling gap,” said Jennifer Wallace, founder of the Mattering Institute, as reported by the New York Post. “Too few of America’s K–12 educators feel they truly matter… The people who help our children know they matter deserve to know they matter, too.”
How it came about
The survey builds on earlier research linking teacher morale to retention, a theme also covered in Felo’s recent piece on teacher‑impact awards in South Africa (Richfield Teacher Impact Award).
Key facts
- 25% of U.S. public‑school teachers say they are likely to quit within 12 months (nypost.com)
- Only 35% of K‑12 educators feel they matter a great deal at their school (nypost.com)
- 68% of teachers who feel undervalued report frequent burnout (nypost.com)
- Teachers aged 60+ are most likely to feel valued (47%) (nypost.com)
- Low investment scores correspond with a 41% likelihood of leaving (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “One in four US teachers say they are likely to quit within 12 months, concerning survey reveals”
