Novice teachers are less likely to feel confident and successful in their jobs compared to teachers with more experience, potentially driving a decline in teacher retention rates, according to a new study by school communication platform Vivi.
The survey of nearly 2,000 educators across the U.S., U.K. and Australia found that only 8% of teachers with less than two years of experience felt “extremely successful,” compared to 48% of teachers 6-8 years into their careers.
When it came to classroom management, up to 12% of novice teachers felt less confident in their ability to use different assessment strategies, and only 15% said they felt capable of controlling disruptive classroom behavior.
Having the support of a strong professional community can help teachers feel more successful at work, regardless of experience level, according to the study. But novice teachers were 7% more likely to report difficulty connecting with their colleagues, another potential barrier to feeling set up for success at the beginning of their careers.
These and other factors can contribute to what has become a worldwide issue in teacher attrition. One in five teachers under 30 say they plan to leave the profession within five years, according to a global 2024 survey by OECD. In the U.S. alone, 44% to 55% of new public school teachers leave their jobs in the first five years.
Teachers’ self-perceived success rises significantly with more experience, according to Vivi’s study, which recommends that school districts reduce teacher turnover rates by accelerating novice teachers’ expertise and classroom management skills.
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