Excerpts from the Jordan School District Exit Survey
Of approximately 180 Exit Surveys that had been distributed, 104 had been completed and returned by July 1, 2000 (a return rate of 58%).
Results from these surveys indicate that educators leaving their positions in Jordan School District were predominantly younger (77% were between the ages of 20 and 39), female (94% were female), and had relatively little experience teaching in JSD (60% had 0-5 years of experience in the district).
Respondents to the Exit Survey indicated that the main reason that they had elected to leave JSD was:
- Child rearing (39%)
- Moving out of the area (26%)
- Dissatisfaction with the job (18%)
- Transferring to another school district (10%)
- Retiring (4%)
- Accepting employment outside education(3%)
Respondents who indicated "Dissatisfaction with the job" noted three sets of issues that were also closely linked to their decision to leave JSD: Work environment, student issues, and personal growth.
- 41% of departing educators age 40 or older indicated that "Dissatisfaction with the Job" was the main reason that they opted to leave JSD.
- 37% of departing special education/speech teachers indicated that "Dissatisfaction with the Job" was the main reason they opted to leave JSD.
The total sample of departing educators included a notable number of special education/speech teachers (19%). These educators were more likely than others to identify Work Environment as a primary issue influencing their decision to leave JSD. They were also more likely to indicate that the main reason they had decided to leave was "Dissatisfaction with the job."
Respondents who indicated that they were transferring from the district were more likely than others to note that two areas were of primary concern to them: Management and Collegiality. These respondents did not differ notably from others in any demographic areas.
The total group of respondents indicated that Work Environment issues (e.g., resources, class size, work load, too much pressure) were the primary issues influencing their decision to leave JSD. In particular they expressed concern with:
- Insufficient time scheduled for teachers to organize their classes, plan, and deal with students discipline.
- The stress and workload imposed by "main streaming."
- The need for district-wide guidelines on student discipline and more direct communication to teachers about those guidelines.
- Teacher compensation.
- Growing class size with no commensurate growth in planning and organization time.
- Insufficient supplies and resources.
