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Fewer teachers are considering leaving the classroom, new poll finds. Most are still thinking about it | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 14:47 GMT by Houston Public Media
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A New Poll Sheds Light on Texas Teachers’ Intentions: Fewer Are Thinking of Leaving, But the Concerns Remain

A recent survey released by the Houston Public Media in early October found that fewer Texas teachers are actively contemplating leaving the classroom than in previous years. However, the data also reveal that many educators are still “in the thinking zone,” weighing whether they want to stay in their current roles. The poll, conducted by the Texas Education Foundation with input from the Texas Teacher Association, offers a nuanced look at the factors that influence teachers’ decisions in a state grappling with a chronic teacher shortage, rising burnout, and shifting policy priorities.

1. Key Findings

The dip in teachers actively considering leaving—from a quarter of the workforce last year to just over one‑tenth—suggests that recent efforts to stabilize teacher retention may be having an effect. Yet the fact that more than one third are still in the “thinking” stage underscores that the issue is not wholly resolved.

2. What the Poll Reveals About Motivations

2.1 Pay and Benefits

Pay remains the top driver for teachers contemplating a career change. “It’s not just the salary. It’s the pension and health benefits, too,” said Maria Hernandez, a sixth‑grade teacher in Fort Worth who was surveyed. The poll shows a 4% increase in teachers citing compensation as a concern, reflecting the ongoing debate over Texas’ salary structure and the lack of merit‑based increases in many districts.

2.2 Classroom Climate and Student Behavior

Nearly a third of respondents highlighted challenging student behavior—“disruptive behavior, bullying, and a lack of engagement”—as a key reason for considering exit. The issue is compounded by a rise in “crowd control” incidents and the increasing prevalence of mental‑health concerns among students, according to the poll. A linked article in the Houston Public Media site, “The Rising Mental‑Health Crisis in Texas Classrooms,” cites data from the Texas Department of Education’s 2023 Report on Student Well‑Being, which documents a 12% increase in students referred for counseling.

2.3 Administrative Support

Administrative support is the third most cited factor. The poll indicates that teachers feel a lack of leadership guidance, especially regarding technology integration and professional development. “The district has policies, but we rarely see follow‑through or resources to implement them,” notes James Park, a third‑grade teacher in Austin. The Texas Teacher Association (TTA) has been actively pushing for “district‑wide” training initiatives, a move the poll finds gaining traction among respondents.

3. The Role of Policy and Advocacy

The article’s embedded link to the Texas Teacher Association’s policy brief highlights the association’s recent campaign for a “Teacher Retention Act.” The brief outlines three key policy proposals:

1. Guaranteed Pay Increases: A 2% yearly salary increase for all teachers, irrespective of tenure, aimed at countering the “pay stagnation” cited in the poll.
2. Expanded Mental‑Health Support: District‑level mental‑health teams to provide both student and teacher support, addressing the poll’s findings on climate.
3. Professional Development Incentives: Paid “professional learning days” for teachers to pursue certifications or attend workshops.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has signaled openness to some of these proposals, as highlighted in the linked TEA statement on its website. “We recognize the crucial role of teacher stability and are exploring new funding mechanisms,” the statement reads.

4. Voices from the Field

The poll’s qualitative section captured a wide array of personal anecdotes that give texture to the numbers. One teacher, who requested anonymity, shared that the idea of moving into a different profession had been a long‑term consideration. “Every year there’s a small flicker of doubt, but seeing my students succeed keeps me going,” she said. Another respondent—an early‑career teacher who recently had her first child—expressed that family considerations heavily influenced her contemplation of leaving. “I’m trying to balance a new baby and a full‑time teaching load; the support I get from my district is essential,” she added.

5. What’s Next?

According to the Houston Public Media article’s “Next Steps” section, the poll’s findings will be shared with several key stakeholders, including:

• Local school districts in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, to help inform resource allocation and support strategies.
• The Texas Legislature’s Committee on Education, during the upcoming 2026 budget hearings.
• The Texas Education Foundation, which will use the data to tailor its grant programs for teacher wellness and professional development.

The poll’s methodology, which combined a 1,200‑person random sample of teachers across the state with an online survey platform, is detailed in a link to the Texas Education Foundation’s research page. The poll’s response rate was 68%, a figure the foundation cites as “above the national average for education surveys.”

6. Bottom Line

While the percentage of teachers actively considering leaving the classroom has dropped from 25% last year to 12% this year, the majority of educators—over one third—are still grappling with the decision. Pay, classroom climate, and administrative support remain the key levers for retention. The data underscore a need for continued investment in teacher compensation, mental‑health resources, and robust professional development.

By following the links embedded within the Houston Public Media piece—directing readers to the Texas Education Foundation’s methodology, the Texas Teacher Association’s policy brief, the Texas Department of Education’s 2023 Student Well‑Being Report, and the TEA’s statement on teacher retention—the article offers a comprehensive, data‑driven snapshot of the challenges and opportunities facing Texas teachers today.