Increasing the Career Longevity of Teachers of Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Increasing the Career Longevity of Teachers of Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders by Leroy Smith MA, University of Phoenix, 2006 BS, Slippery Rock University, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University February 2018 Abstract Teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) have among the highest attrition rates of any teaching discipline in the United States. High attrition rates affect EBD teachers, school districts, and students with EBD. Through the theoretical lenses of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory and Eisenberger’s organizational support theory (OST), this study sought to determine if there was a difference in collegeTeachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) have among the highest attrition rates of any teaching discipline in the United States. High attrition rates affect EBD teachers, school districts, and students with EBD. Through the theoretical lenses of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory and Eisenberger’s organizational support theory (OST), this study sought to determine if there was a difference in college preparation, job support, and job benefit/amenity factors identified by EBD teachers who intended to leave the discipline (n = 6) and those who intended to stay (n = 9). This quantitative, survey-based study yielded data from 15 EBD teachers. Results of independent-samples t-tests indicated there were no statistically significance differences in responses between the 2 groups. However, there were notable differences when the highest and lowest means scores of individual survey items were examined. The importance both groups placed on job supports when compared to college preparation and job benefit/amenities was evident. Additionally, the results indicated that EBD teachers planning on leaving the profession placed more importance on direct contact with school administrators when compared with those intending to stay. Results of this study should be taken with caution as they are drawn from a relatively small sample of EBD teachers. The results of the study may add to the field of research on EBD teacher attrition rates and possibly assist universities, educational leaders, and education policy makers in developing means to address this issue. Importantly, the results of the study could promote the professional success of EBD teachers as well as the academic, behavioral, and social growth of the students they teach. Increasing the Career Longevity of Teachers of Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders by Leroy Smith MA, University of Phoenix, 2006 BS, Slippery Rock University, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University February 2018 Dedication This study is dedicated to my wife, son, mother, and stepfather. My immediate family has demonstrated support and patience throughout my endeavor. I always promise my son that I will have more time to play after this process is over. Of course, the conclusion of this journey will enable me to spend more quality time with my wife as well. In all, there will be less time locked in the “evil, tall tower of dissertation writing. ” My parents infused a sense of “stick-to-it-itiveness” into my circuitry at an early age and continue to support my efforts to this day. Without everyone’s encouragement, this would have been an impossibility for me. My dissertation chair, Dr. Anne Hacker, has been particularly supportive during this process, and so has committee member Dr. Ella Benson, who always gave a word of encouragement at needed times. Dr. Wendy Oakes of the CCBD and the supporting staff were instrumental in making this once proposed study a reality. Thank you all, and know that your dedication to my efforts not only benefited my doctoral aspirations but also children with EBD and the teachers who support them.