by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
More than 50% of the nation’s teachers and principals are baby boomers— those born in the 1950’s. Many are our best teachers and they’re planning to retire.
A report from the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future cites rising attrition rates for the past decade.
Departures will probably peak in the 2010-2011 school year, when over 100,000 teachers will leave. With new hires staying in the classroom only 3-5 years on average in high poverty areas, there’s little time to collaborate and learn from veteran teachers.
A recent survey found that 67% of teachers plan to work after they retire and 62% would consider staying in education.
Cross-generational teams—retirees pursuing encore careers in education, teaming with new teachers, interns and community volunteers could change the culture of schools.
Incentives for veterans and new teachers might attract qualified people to teaching that would stem the high turnover. That’s the kind of innovation Arne Duncan, federal Secretary of Education, is encouraging—one means to close the achievement gap.
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