Teacher turnover in Houston-area public schools surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but new data shows that about half of the region’s school districts have since returned to pre-pandemic levels in the 2023-24 school year.
Teacher turnover is a measure of how many teachers do not return to teach in the same school district every year. Between 2018 and 2024, teacher turnover rates across Houston-area independent school districts fluctuated between 12% and 24%, with some districts still struggling to stabilize their staffing. Spring ISD, Sheldon ISD, and Houston ISD consistently reported some of the highest turnover rates in the region—each averaging over 20% in recent years. Meanwhile, Galena Park ISD and Pasadena ISD posted the lowest turnover rates, at just 12%.
These trends in Houston reflect broader national and state-level patterns in teacher turnover. Nationally, teacher turnover rates spiked during the pandemic and have yet to fully stabilize. An analysis by Education Resource Strategies found that an average of 23% of teachers left their schools in the 2022–23 school year—up from 20% in 2020–21. RAND’s national survey of U.S. public school districts found that districts reported that about 10% of their teachers resigned or retired after the 2021–22 school year, but those figures declined to 7% in 2023–24.
Pandemic Aftershocks Still Felt
While the 2018-19 to 2019-20 school years saw a slight dip in turnover across most districts, turnover spiked beginning in 2020 as the pandemic disrupted classrooms and pushed many educators to reconsider their careers. The sharp increases in turnover from 2020 to 2022 aligned with national trends, driven by burnout, health concerns, and a rapidly shifting educational landscape.
Some districts, such as Spring ISD and Sheldon ISD, maintained higher turnover rates throughout the six-year period. Houston ISD, which had more moderate rates in earlier years, experienced an unusually high spike in 2023-24 following the state’s takeover of the district.
Mixed Recovery Across Districts
By the 2023-24 school year, four Houston-area districts had turnover rates that returned to, or fell below, their 2019 levels. Galena Park ISD is a standout—its teacher turnover rate not only decreased but also dipped below its pre-pandemic level. The district also maintained a stable teacher workforce, suggesting minimal staff movement and a more consistent teaching environment.
However, five districts have yet to recover, with turnover rates still four to five percentage points above where they were before the pandemic. Houston ISD’s 2023-24 turnover rate was 12 percentage points higher than in 2019, with the state intervention playing a significant role.
Where Are the Teachers Going?
Among districts with higher turnover, more than half of departing teachers left the public school system entirely. Some may have moved to private schools, taken a break, or left the profession altogether. Others transitioned to nearby public districts within the region.
Analysts say more research is needed to understand whether these teachers eventually return to the public system. Preliminary indications suggest some may take a gap year and later re-enter teaching in the same or neighboring districts.
As Houston’s school systems continue adjusting to the post-pandemic era, teacher retention remains a key challenge—and a critical measure of each district’s long-term stability.
Methodology
This analysis used statewide staff data obtained through TEA public information requests covering school years 2018-19 through 2024-25. The data comes from the fall snapshot of the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS), which captures information on all Texas public education staff.
The analysis excluded administrative staff, substitute teachers, and teachers who were not assigned to a school location. All teachers, regardless of FTE status, were included. Turnover rates were calculated based on teacher count rather than FTE, potentially resulting in higher rates than those reported in TAPR reports.
