Male teachers more likely to leave when they work under female principals

Using a 40-year panel of all public school teachers and principals in New York State, this study explores how female principals affect rates of teacher turnover—an important determinant of school quality.

The authors find that male teachers are about 12% more likely to leave their schools when they work under female principals than under male principals. In contrast, they find no such effects for female teachers. Furthermore, when male teachers request transfers, they are more likely to be to schools with male principals.

These results suggest that opposition from male subordinates could inhibit female progress in leadership.