‘We’ve Got a Real Crisis’: Half of U.S. Teachers Have Considered Leaving Profession, PDK Poll Finds
According to a recent poll, nearly half of the teachers in the country have seriously considered leaving their profession due to concerns over low pay, stress levels, and a lack of respect. The survey, conducted by the professional association of teachers, PDK International, highlights a serious crisis that needs to be addressed on a national level in order to ensure the best quality education for our children.
The poll reveals that teachers who feel undervalued by their communities, believe their pay is inadequate, earn less than $45,000 per year, or teach at the high school level are more likely to have considered quitting. The survey, which involved 2,389 participants including parents and teachers, was conducted online in late April.
These findings come on the heels of last year’s "Red for Ed" movement, in which teachers from several states went on strike demanding higher pay and increased funding for education. The majority of teachers surveyed stated that they would support strikes for additional funding for school programs, higher salaries, and more influence over school standards, testing, and curriculum. A smaller percentage also expressed a willingness to strike for improvements in teaching conditions. Interestingly, the poll also found that a significant number of parents would support teachers striking for any of these reasons.
This is the second year in a row that the PDK poll has shown a decline in the desire of parents to see their children become teachers, with 54% of parents in the previous poll stating they would not want their kids to pursue a career in teaching. In this year’s poll, a similar sentiment was expressed by 55% of teachers, who said they wouldn’t want their own children to follow in their footsteps.
One teacher participating in an online focus group expressed their frustrations, stating, "I work 55 hours a week, have 12 years’ experience, and make $43K. I worry and stress daily about my classroom prep work and kids. I am a fool to do this job."
The issue of pay is a significant concern for teachers, with 60% feeling that their salaries are unfair. However, the overall climate of schools, including the heavy reliance on standardized tests, is also a major factor contributing to dissatisfaction. Joshua P. Starr, the CEO of PDK International, argues that policymakers need to strike the right balance between progress and maintaining high standards.
Starr emphasizes that using standardized test scores as the sole measure of school performance is inadequate and does a disservice to the teaching profession. The poll found that 94% of teachers believe that students’ growth over time is a better indicator of school performance than the percentage of students who pass a test. While parents and the general public were more divided on this issue, about three-quarters agreed that growth over time is a more meaningful metric than mere proficiency.
The survey also explored public support for expanding the curriculum in new ways, with a majority favoring optional Bible classes and mandatory civics education. Starr suggests that these results reflect a desire to see schools serve a deeper purpose and become spaces for dialogue within diverse communities.
When it comes to Bible classes, only 6% of respondents believe they should be mandatory, while 58% think they should be offered as an elective. Support for optional Bible classes was higher among respondents who identified as evangelical Christians, Republicans, or conservatives. Mandatory civics education, however, received much broader support, with 70% of participants advocating for it and an additional 27% suggesting it should be offered as an elective. Teachers were more likely than the general public to view civics classes as mandatory, while parents were less inclined to see it as necessary.
Although there are challenges associated with teaching both Bible and civics classes, such as issues of church-state separation and allegations of political bias, Starr believes that there are teachers who can navigate these obstacles effectively. He suggests that the results of the poll demonstrate a thirst for these types of classes and that the education system should rise to the occasion.
It is worth noting that the survey was financially supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and , a media outlet focused on education issues.
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