DOVER, Del. - Public education may be approaching a tipping point as student behavioral issues that disrupt learning and compromise safety are taking a toll on teachers. A new survey reveals the extent of these challenges, with the majority of educators expressing concerns about student outbursts, violence and a lack of support from state resources, administrators and parents.
Key ideas:
- Nearly 60 percent of educators in Delaware are considering early retirement or a career change due to student behavior challenges.
- Educators call for smaller class sizes, more disciplinary support and increasing involvement from parents.
The survey was conducted by Emma White Research and included interviews with more than 1,000 public educators from July 10 to July 15. Results show that three in five educators say they are more likely to retire early or leave public education for other careers due to student behavioral challenges. Veteran teachers are most likely to quit the profession because of unaddressed issues.
