Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says

Eliminating High-Stakes Testing May Not Lessen Most Teacher Turnover

By Madeline Will — February 25, 2020 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

For many teachers, high-stakes testing is a major source of frustration—but they’re not necessarily quitting over it.

A new study finds ousting state testing had no effect on overall teacher turnover and attrition, though it may encourage early-career teachers to stay in the profession.

The working paper, published by the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research, analyzed the effects of changes in mandated state testing in Georgia. For eight years, all students in grades 1 to 8 were tested in reading, English/language arts, and math, and students in grades 3 to 8 also took tests in science and social studies. But starting in 2011, grade 3-8 students are tested in English/language arts and math, and only students in grades 5 and 8 take science and social studies tests.

The study found removing statewide tests had no effect on the likelihood of teachers changing schools within a district, moving between districts, or quitting altogether. There is one meaningful exception: Teachers with fewer than five years of experience were less likely to leave the profession when there were fewer testing requirements. For new teachers, the likelihood of leaving fell from 14 to 13 percentage points for teachers in grades 1 and 2, and from 14 to 11 percentage points in grades 6 and 7, the study found.

A version of this article appeared in the February 26, 2020 edition of Education Week as Eliminating High-Stakes Testing May Not Lessen Most Teacher Turnover

Events

Artificial Intelligence K-12 Essentials Forum How AI Use Is Expanding in K-12 Schools
Join this free virtual event to explore how AI technology is—and is not—improving K-12 teaching and learning.
Federal Webinar The Trump Budget and Schools: Subscriber Exclusive Quick Hit
EdWeek subscribers, join this 30-minute webinar to find out what the latest federal policy changes mean for K-12 education.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Curriculum Webinar
End Student Boredom: K-12 Publisher's Guide to 70% Engagement Boost
Calling all K-12 Publishers! Student engagement flatlining? Learn how to boost it by up to 70%.
Content provided by KITABOO

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Recruitment & Retention Will Fired Federal Workers Consider Teaching? Some Schools May Soon Find Out
Thousands of federal employees face unemployment. Some states and districts see an opportunity to recruit skilled workers to the classroom.
6 min read
Surreal illustation of intersecting arrows and stairs.
Eoneren / E+
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says Teacher Shortages Are Improving—With Two Big Exceptions
New job posting data suggests staffing support needs to be targeted at particular areas.
4 min read
Image of innovative solutions around staffing.
Laura Baker/Education Week and Andrii Yalanskyi/iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention Districts Can't Pay Teachers Promised Incentives After Trump Admin. Cuts Funding
Grants meant for teacher and school leader development in high-need schools were abruptly cut by the Trump administration. Districts are looking for other options.
8 min read
Master teachers Krysta McGrew and Justin Stewart work with their peers during a 5K cluster meeting at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, S.C., on March 10, 2025.
Master teachers Krysta McGrew and Justin Stewart work with their peers at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, S.C., on March 10, 2025. The Laurens district is among those who lost federal grant funding meant to provide performance-based financial incentives to teachers.
Bryant Kirk White for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Why Teachers Choose Schools (It’s Not Just About the Paycheck)
Multiple surveys make clear that teachers care deeply about school culture when sizing up jobs. Here's what that means.
3 min read
A note written WELL DONE clip with a blue notebook, with a pencil. Concept of approval and praise on writing or professional performance
iStock/Getty