A Case Study of Teacher Retention in Three Title I Hawaii Schools

Abstract

Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2015.

Includes bibliographical references.

Teacher retention in Hawaiʻi is a challenge, particularly in high needs Title I schools. This qualitative case study explores the question “What factors influence teacher retention in Title I schools in Hawaiʻi?” The participants were 10 early career and veteran teachers from three Title I schools within one O’ahu public school complex. Data was collected through interviews and focus groups. Price’s (2001) Causal Model of Turnover, and Higgins’ (2003) Ethics of Teaching were used as the lenses to understand the data. Results revealed that these ten teachers were influenced by the social context of their school. Their relationships with colleagues, students, and administrators, were strong factors that kept them committed to teaching in their Title I schools. Other factors that influenced them were their own perspectives and understandings about the community in which they worked, acknowledgement received about their work, and knowing they had made a difference in their schools. Factors that influenced attrition at their schools, as well as implications for administrators, university teacher preparation programs, and teachers are also discussed.