Teacher Retention Across Contexts: Examining Teacher Workforce Stability and Its Impact on Student Outcomes in Traditional Public and Charter Schools in New Jersey

Author

• Telia Bennett, Seton Hall UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 3-13-2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Department

Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Timmer

Committee Member

Dr. Randall Clemens

Committee Member

Dr. Jacynth Joyce Johnson

Keywords

Teacher Retention, Teacher Turnover, Student Achievement, Chronic Absenteeism, Charter Schools, New Jersey, Traditional Public Schools, Educational Outcomes, School Performance Metrics, New Jersey Education Policy

Abstract

Teacher retention remains a critical factor in understanding disparities in student outcomes across school systems. This study examines the relationship between four-year teacher retention and student outcomes in New Jersey, with particular attention to differences between traditional public schools and charter schools. The study includes approximately 4,003 district-level observations across 670 school systems and includes six years of data (2018–2019 through 2023–2024) from the New Jersey School Performance Reports,

Findings indicate that higher rates of four-year teacher retention are generally associated with improved ELA proficiency and lower rates of chronic absenteeism, although the strength and statistical significance of these relationships vary across school types and student subgroups. Notably, differences in retention patterns between charter schools and traditional public schools appear to converge in the post-pandemic period, suggesting potential shifts in workforce stability across sectors. While retention demonstrates a meaningful relationship with student outcomes, the models reveal modest explanatory power, underscoring the complexity of factors influencing both achievement and engagement.

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a longitudinal, state-level analysis of teacher retention and its relationship to both academic and engagement outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of sustained teacher workforce stability as a lever for improving student experiences and outcomes, while also pointing to the need for policy and practice that address the broader conditions influencing teacher retention across school contexts.

Recommended Citation

Bennett, Telia, "Teacher Retention Across Contexts: Examining Teacher Workforce Stability and Its Impact on Student Outcomes in Traditional Public and Charter Schools in New Jersey" (2026). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 4452.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/4452