Attrition and Mobility of Public and Private K–12 School Principals

 

New data provides attrition and mobility information about principals in K-12 public and private schools during the 2021–22 school year.  The National Center for Education Statistics released a new report, Principal Attrition and Mobility. Results From the 2021–22 Principal Follow-up Survey to the National Teacher and Principal Survey (NCES 2023-046). The report provides new information about attrition and mobility of public and private K–12 school principals: Among all public school principals in 2020–21, approximately 80 percent remained at the same school during the following school year (“stayers”), 6 percent moved to a different school (“movers”), and 11 percent left the principalship (“leavers”). In addition, 3 percent of principals were from schools that reported the principal had left, but the school was unable to report the current occupational status of the principal (“other”) (Table A-1). Among all private school principals in 2020–21, approximately 83 percent remained at the same school during the following school year (“stayers”), 2 percent moved to a different school (“movers”), and 10 percent left the principalship (“leavers”). In addition, 5 percent of principals were from schools that reported the principal had left, but the school was unable to report the current occupational status of the principal (“other”) (Table A-1). Among the 94 percent of 2020–21 public school principals who agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement “I am generally satisfied with being principal at this school” in the 2020–21 school year, 81 percent remained at the same school, 6 percent moved to a different school, and 11 percent left the principalship in 2021–22. Among the 17 percent of public school principals who agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement “I think about transferring to another school” in the 2020–21 school year, 71 percent remained at the same school, 12 percent moved to a different school, and 13 percent left the principalship in 2021–22  (Table A-4). Among the 92 percent of 2020–21 private school principals who agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement “I am generally satisfied with being principal at this school” in the 2020–21 school year, 84 percent remained at the same school, 2 percent moved to a different school, and 9 percent left the principalship in 2021–22. Among the 14 percent of private school principals who agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement “I think about transferring to another school” in the 2020–21 school year, 73 percent remained at the same school, 9 percent moved to a different school, and 12 percent left the principalship in 2021–22 (Table A-4). The report also provides information on principal attrition and mobility by selected principal and school characteristics, plans to remain a principal, working conditions, school climate, and perceived influence on decisions at their school.