Cross-country comparisons of the relationship between math and science teacher turnover and student achievement

Staffing classrooms with effective teachers remains a persistent policy chal-
lenge in the U.S. Teaching positions requiringSTEM expertise are particularly
difficult to fill. Scholars have identified similar trends in other industrialized
nations. Yet, limited research examines international comparisons of the
causes and consequences of staffing challenges. We use the 2015 Trends in
Mathematics and Science Study to track teacher staffing difficulties in 27
countries. We find substantial variation across countries in the proportion of
principals reporting difficulties filling STEM positions, with U.S. schools mir-
roring international averages. We also find consistent relationships between
lower math and science achievement and attending a hard-to-staff school.