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Student Disruptions and Teacher Turnover

Author

Listed:
  • Choi, Kyuhan

  • Shi, Ying

    (Syracuse University)

  • Zhu, Maria

    (Syracuse University)

Abstract

This paper examines how exposure to disruptive students affects teacher retention using linked teacher-student administrative records from North Carolina. To address non-random classroom assignment, we instrument for classroom exposure using the school-by-grade share of disruptive students based on prior-year disciplinary infractions. A one standard deviation increase in the share of disruptive students raises the probability of a teacher leaving the school in the following year by 1.6 percentage points. We do not find differential effects by teacher characteristics. However, working in a school environment with supportive leadership and greater teacher input into decision-making mitigates the impact of student disruptions.

Suggested Citation

  • Choi, Kyuhan & Shi, Ying & Zhu, Maria, 2025. "Student Disruptions and Teacher Turnover," IZA Discussion Papers 18271, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Scott E. Carrell & Mark Hoekstra & Elira Kuka, 2018. "The Long-Run Effects of Disruptive Peers," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(11), pages 3377-3415, November.
    5. Li Feng, 2010. "Hire Today, Gone Tomorrow: New Teacher Classroom Assignments and Teacher Mobility," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 5(3), pages 278-316, July.
    6. Feng, Li & Figlio, David & Sass, Tim, 2018. "School accountability and teacher mobility," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 1-17.
    7. Rebecca Dizon-Ross, 2020. "How Does School Accountability Affect Teachers?: Evidence from New York City," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 55(1), pages 76-118.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets

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