The Mass Exodus of Teachers: Understanding Why Educators Are Fleeing the Classroom and How to Bring Them Back
A concerning new study from McKinsey & Company reveals just how severe the teacher shortage has become, with nearly one-third of K-12 educators surveyed indicating plans to leave the profession. This amounts to around 900,000 teachers across the United States considering walking away, on top of already high attrition rates.
The reasons behind this mass exodus are multi-faceted, but inadequate compensation tops the list. Most teachers say they are not paid enough to live comfortably, and their salaries do not match the effort and qualifications required. With the cost of living skyrocketing, many are struggling just to make ends meet. This issue is felt across all school types but perhaps most acutely in low-income districts where resources are scarce.
