Teachers said that time for teaching, planning, paperwork, and empowerment contributed the most to student performance.
Favorable working conditions also contribute to teacher retention. Teachers in both states overwhelmingly said that having a collegial atmosphere was the most important factor in deciding whether to stay in their schools or look elsewhere. (emphasis added)
Some teachers also say that while they want flexibility in the classroom, it’s also important to them that their administrators see what they’re doing.
Elementary teachers, though, are generally more positive about their working environments than those who teach at the secondary level—an outcome that Mr. Hirsch largely attributes to the more collegial atmosphere in what tend to be smaller elementary schools.
Overall, there are some important factors to keep in mind as we work toward student achievement.
