Pandemic Disrupts Stable Trend, Revealing Disparities by Race, Gender, and Subject Area
AUSTIN, Texas — November 6, 2025– A new report from E3 Alliance, titled "Trends in Texas Teacher Retention 2013-2023: Should I Stay or Should I Go?", highlights critical patterns in the Texas teaching workforce. The study reveals that while teacher retention was stable before the pandemic, it declined during the COVID-19 era, with a modest rebound in 2023.
According to the report, about 90% of Texas teachers returned to the classroom each year from 2013 to 2020. However, this trend was disrupted by the pandemic. The retention rate began to decline, falling to 86.7% in 2022. In 2023, retention showed a modest rebound, increasing by 1.1%.
The study identifies specific groups of educators who are more likely to remain in the profession. Non-White teachers, for example, are more likely to continue teaching in Texas compared to their White counterparts. Hispanic teachers are 39% more likely to stay, while Black teachers are 8% more likely, and Asian teachers are 7% more likely to remain than their White peers.
Other key findings from the report include:
· Educators teaching English Language Arts, Science, and Math are more likely to leave their positions compared to teachers who teach multiple subjects.
· Male teachers are more likely to stay in Texas classrooms than their female colleagues both before and after the pandemic.
· Teachers who lack a known certification are 70% less likely to continue teaching in Texas compared to those with a standard certification. The number of teachers without a known certification has risen from less than 1% in 2013 to 6.1% in 2023.
The report concludes that while recruiting high-quality educators is a crucial challenge, addressing teacher retention is an equally important part of solving educator shortages in Texas schools.
Interview Availability: Annelies Rhodes, senior director of research and data, and the author of this report, is available for interviews to discuss its key findings and their implications. To schedule a media interview or to request a quote, please contact E3 Alliance Communications.
· Email: comms@e3alliance.org
· Phone: 512-223-7255
About E3 Alliance: E3 Alliance is based in Central Texas, specializing in data-driven education solutions. We work across the state to transform education systems through data and collaboration, so all students succeed. We also work to increase economic mobility and the overall quality of life for our community through education system alignment from pre-K to the workforce. Founded in 2006, we are a leader in collective impact, collaborating with 15 Central Texas school districts, seven higher education institutions, and numerous businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, policy leaders, students, and families.
About E3 Alliance Data and Trends Portal: The E3 Alliance Data and Trends Portal, first launched in 2007, provides clear, actionable insights into education outcomes across Central Texas, other Texas regions, and legislative districts. It equips educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community members with data on trends affecting students, families, and the economy.