Science Teachers' Turnover, Dissatisfaction High, Survey Finds

By David J. Hoff

Science teachers of just about every experience level aren't satisfied with their jobs and are thinking about leaving the profession, a national survey suggests.

Almost 40 percent of those questioned said they are considering leaving their jobs for another career or to retire, and they listed job dissatisfaction as the main reason, according to the National Science Teachers Association's poll of 1,370 of its members.

"The scary part is ... these are the people who are actively involved in science education," Gerald F. Wheeler, NSTA's executive director, said in an interview. "I would not have predicted that at least one-third of all cohorts are thinking...