From Absence to Insight: A Convergent, Mixed-Methods Descriptive Study Examining the Lived Experiences and Decision-Making Factors of US K-12 Substitute Teachers Regarding Their Decisions to Accept, Decline, or Drop Job Offers

Author

John S. Trankle, Ed.D Student - Fontbonne UniversityFollow

Year of Award

2024

Degree

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

College of Education & Allied Health

Degree Program

Collaborative High Impact Instruction

Department

Education and Special Education

First Advisor

Jamie Doronkin

Second Advisor

Gayle Rice

Keywords

Substitute-teacher shortage, K-12 education, Financial compensation, Training, Lived experiences, Mixed-methods, Regional values, Recruitment and retention strategies

Abstract

The shortage of substitute teachers in U.S. K-12 education has become a critical issue, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores the lived experiences of substitute teachers to better understand the factors contributing to this shortage through a convergent, descriptive study design, focusing particularly on compensation and training. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected through the US K-12 Substitute Teacher Web-Based Survey (USK12-STWBS) and qualitative data were collected through the US K-12 Lived Experiences Semi-Structured Interview (USK12-LESI). Quantitative findings highlight that financial compensation remains a central concern, with many substitute teachers citing inadequate pay as a significant deterrent. The qualitative responses reveal that experiences around relevant training, or the lack thereof, exacerbate professional challenges and dissatisfaction. Additionally, regional differences in values, such as preferences for work-life balance and professional development, suggest that localized approaches may be necessary to address the crisis effectively. This study’s findings underscore the need for comprehensive recruitment and retention strategies that address both financial and non-financial factors, particularly focusing on improving compensation and providing more effective training opportunities.

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Trankle, John S., "From Absence to Insight: A Convergent, Mixed-Methods Descriptive Study Examining the Lived Experiences and Decision-Making Factors of US K-12 Substitute Teachers Regarding Their Decisions to Accept, Decline, or Drop Job Offers" (2024). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 673.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/673