Study Finds High Turnover of Science Faculty

UPI (1/6) reports, "High turnover rates for science faculty at US colleges and universities undermine efforts to boost student retention levels," according to "a recent survey of the California State University system." The study "found nearly 40 percent of science [faculty] who specialize in education were seriously considering leaving their position." Nancy Pelaez, a Purdue University associate professor of biological sciences, noted that "more than half of [students] entering science majors at universities leave the sciences, and 90 percent of those students complain of ineffective teaching." Pelaez added, "The model of seeding university science departments with faculty who are trained in educational methodology and approaches shows promise for retaining more science majors and developing approaches to reform science education at the K-12 level."
Arizona's Imperial Valley News (1/5, Gardner) quoted Pelaez as saying that "the study highlights potential national trends." Pelaez explained, "There are likely similarities in the career dynamics for faculty with interests in education at institutions throughout the nation. ... Faculty members who specialize in science education are a growing number. Although science faculty with education specialty positions began before 1987, for the group in this study, more were hired after 2000 than in all previous years combined." The survey noted that "of those who are seriously considering leaving their position, however, only a few are considering leaving the field entirely." Further, "the survey suggests the satisfaction of these faculty members could improve with increased training opportunities, reduced professional isolation and improved academic infrastructure to support education research and professional activities."