Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina’s public schools are seeing a stabilization in teacher attrition rates, while principals are demonstrating strong retention, according to a novel report released today by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). The State of the Teaching Profession and School Administrator Report, mandated by the North Carolina General Assembly, analyzes educator employment trends between March 2024 and March 2025 across the state’s 115 public school districts. The findings offer a mixed picture, highlighting ongoing challenges in retaining educators while signaling a potential easing of the staffing crisis that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
The overall teacher attrition rate for the 2024-25 school year was 10.11%, a slight increase from 9.88% in the previous year. This represents 9,107 teachers leaving their positions, an increase of 221 compared to 2023-24. Still, officials note that the rate appears to be leveling off after a significant spike in the 2022-23 school year. The report does not include educators who left the classroom for other roles within the school system, such as administration. This is the second year the report has included data on school administrator movement, as requested by state legislators.
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green emphasized the need for continued investment in the state’s teaching workforce. “This year’s report reinforces the importance of addressing the core issues that lead to teacher attrition,” Green said. “Our public schools cannot be best in the nation if our teachers are not adequately compensated, trained, and revered. It will take action from the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and our schools to strengthen the education profession.”
Addressing Attrition Through Strategic Planning
Green, alongside the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE), recently launched “Achieving Educational Excellence,” a strategic plan for the state’s public schools spanning 2025-2030. The plan prioritizes increasing teacher compensation, bolstering support for beginning teachers, and restoring pride in the education profession. A key component of the plan is the expansion of the state’s Advanced Teaching Roles Program, designed to provide career advancement opportunities for highly effective teachers. The SBE sets policy and general procedures for public school systems across the state, including teacher pay and qualifications, according to its mission statement. More information about the SBE can be found on the NC DPI website.
The data reveals that teacher attrition is particularly pronounced among those early in their careers, with rates between 14% and 18% for educators with 0-5 years of experience. Veteran teachers, with 30 or more years in the field, also experience high attrition, ranging from 15.5% to 25%. This suggests a need for targeted support and incentives for both new and experienced educators.
Pathways to the Classroom
The report also sheds light on how teachers are entering the profession. Nearly one-third of teachers hired between March 2024 and March 2025 completed a teacher residency program, while 27.23% followed a traditional pathway, such as earning a four-year degree in education. This shift towards residency programs reflects a growing emphasis on practical, hands-on training for aspiring educators.
Vacancy Rates and Temporary Licenses
While the teacher attrition rate saw a slight increase, the overall vacancy rate for 2024-25 was 7.4%, a decrease from 7.6% in 2023-24. However, Dr. Tom Tomberlin, senior director of educator preparation, licensure and performance at NCDPI, cautioned that this figure is somewhat misleading. He explained that the current definition of a vacancy includes positions filled by teachers with temporary licenses or rehired retirees. “When we look strictly at positions that remain unstaffed, the vacancy rate is closer to 1.2%,” Tomberlin said. This broader definition was adopted by state legislators in 2021 to provide a more comprehensive picture of staffing challenges.
Principal Retention Remains Strong
In contrast to the teacher attrition data, principal retention remains remarkably strong. At the end of the 2024-25 school year, 151 of 2,482 principals – or 6.1% – left their positions. The vast majority of those departures, 59%, were due to retirement. 92.4% of principals who did not leave their schools continued in their roles from 2024 to 2025, with an additional 4.3% moving into district-level positions. Notably, more than three-quarters of principals at low-performing schools remained at their posts.
The stability in principal leadership is seen as a positive sign, suggesting that efforts to support school leaders are proving effective. The North Carolina State Board of Education, established by the state constitution, plays a crucial role in overseeing and administering the state’s public school systems. Further details on the board’s history and responsibilities can be found on Wikipedia.
Looking ahead, the NCDPI and SBE will continue to monitor educator employment trends and refine strategies to address the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention. The next report on the State of the Teaching Profession and School Administrator is expected to be released in early 2027, providing an updated assessment of the state’s progress towards its educational goals.
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