Summary

"In this lively and interesting book, Katy Farber makes public the real reasons why inexperienced teachers rarely stay long enough or get the support they need to become good, why good teachers don′t become great, and why great teachers quit." --Deborah Meier, Educational Reformer, Writer, and Activist"This book is for every parent who has had their child′s teacher leave in the middle of the year, every administrator who marvels at the difficulty of teacher retention or team spirit, every policy maker ready to walk the walk, and anyone who has invested years in preparation for a career in the classroom only to be faced with the thought of cutting his or her losses."--Esmé Raji Codell, Author of Educating EsméLearn why today′s best teachers are leaving--from the teachers themselves.

Low pay, increased responsibilities, and high-stakes standardized testing--these are just some of the reasons why more talented teachers are leaving the profession than ever before. Drawing on in-depth interviews with teachers all over the country, Katy Farber presents an in-the-trenches view of the classroom exodus and uncovers ways that schools can turn the tide.

Farber′s findings paint a sometimes shocking picture of life in today′s schools, taking a frank look at

Challenges to teacher endurance, including tight budgets, difficult parents, standardized testing, unsafe schools, inadequate pay, and lack of respect Strategies veteran teachers use to make sure the joys of teaching outweigh the frustrations Success stories from individual schools and districts that have found solutions to these challenges Recommendations for creating a school environment that fosters teacher retention

Featuring clear analysis and concrete suggestions for administrators and policy makers, Why Great Teachers Quit takes you to the front lines of the fight to keep great teachers where they belong: in the classroom.