Midwest teachers leaving the classroom over student behavior, left-wing politics

While the national teachers’ unions cite Republicans’ and parents’ “politicization” of the classroom as the reason for educators wanting to leave the field, Tony Kinnett with the Chalkboard Review discovered this is not what’s driving Midwestern educators out of their classrooms.

Kinnett asked 615 K-12 teachers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin the main reason they were leaving their current position and whether they would return if it was dealt with. Respondents were also asked whether they were union members, of which over half (356) said they were.

Student behavior, left-wing politics

An overwhelming majority of respondents (319 out of 615) listed student behavior as their number one reason for resigning, followed by 138 selecting “progressive political activity” (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, CRT, gender identity) and 134 basing their decision on “insufficient” salaries.

When teacher pay is posed as a contributing factor to the other answer choices (“I’m not being paid enough to deal with ________”), 93.35 percent of Midwestern teachers stated student behavior and admin requiring progressive political activity are why they are resigning.

Parent “demands” wasn’t even close. “It’s not even a secondary or tertiary issue — it’s 49 times less important to teachers than the behavioral crisis,” Kinnett writes.

When asked if they would return to the classroom if their school administration dealt satisfactorily with the problem that was driving them out, only 21 percent of educators said yes.

Source: Tony Kinnett, Chalkboard Review

Survey questions

1. Given the reasons below, what is the largest reason you’re leaving your position?

  • Salary is insufficient
  • Student behavior is poor and left unchecked
  • Progressive political activity (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Critical Race Theory, Gender Identity, etc.) required by administration
  • Parental concerns with your classroom (Demands from parents about curriculum, instruction, etc.)
  • COVID-19 policies
  • Safety concerns about school shootings
  • Lack of materials to teach effectively (self-financed classrooms, etc.)
  • Standardized testing
  • Licensure expiration or professional development requirements
  • Other

2. If salary were considered an ancillary reason, i.e. “I’m not being paid enough to deal with _________,” what would you suggest is the largest reason you’re leaving your classroom?

  • Progressive political activity (Diversity, Equity/Inclusion, Critical Race Theory, Gender Identity, etc.) required by administration
  • Other
  • Licensure expiration or professional development requirements
  • Standardized testing
  • Parental concerns with your classroom (Demands from parents about curriculum, instruction, etc.)
  • Student behavior is poor and left unchecked
  • Lack of materials to teach effectively (and financed classrooms, etc.)
  • Safety concerns about school shootings
  • COVID-19 policies

3. If the present administration could provide evidence that this specific problem is being dealt with satisfactorily would you return to the classroom?

  • Yes, this year
  • Yes, after a year or more of proof
  • No
  • Not sure

4. Were you a member of a local or national teachers union at some point during the previous academic year?

  • Yes
  • No