Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina 2006-2007 Edition Listening to Voices from the Field: Answering Questions that Lead to the Retention of Beginning Teachers

Statistics reveal that up to 33 % of beginning teachers exit the teaching profession within their first three years of service in the state of South Carolina. While the numbers are documented, little is known about why these individuals quickly left a profession for which it took them years to prepare. A recent study surveyed 359 former South Carolina teachers that left the teaching profession early in their careers. From this sample, a surprising 69 % volunteered to be interviewed on the topic of teacher attrition. These former teachers offer a unique perspective on the plight of the beginning teacher. This article gives voice to the concerns and suggestions of that group of professionals, as a way of providing recommendations to those working with educators at the pre-service and in-service levels. Statistics abound concerning the alarming exodus rate of teachers from our nation’s public schools, but little has been done to reverse these numbers. South Carolina State Department of Education statistics reveal that up to 33 % of beginning teachers leave public schools in South Carolina within their first three years of service to the profession. With fewer individuals entering the teaching field, rising retirement numbers and the growth of school ag