Half of Teachers Quit in 5 Years

While not particularly news, at least in my book, the NEA has released a study that says half of America's teachers quit after 5 years of service. Of course the NEA blames teaching conditions and pay, which may indeed by the immediate causes of most departures. But my suspicion is that the root cause of many departures has to do with dealing with not one but two bureaucracies, the school system itself and the union, while at the same time battling other forces, such as student apathy, parental apathy (or over-involvement) and so much more.