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Journals / Research in Educational Administration and Leadership / 2026 / Volume: 11 Issue: 3

Examining the Relationship Between Teachers’ Decision to Leave or Transfer within a School District and Their Perceptions of Domains of School Leadership Practice

Krista Bixler(Florida Gulf Coast University)0000-0003-3582-8935
Marjorie Ceballos(University of Central Florida)0000-0003-2145-686X
Xinyi Mao(University of Central Florida)0000-0003-1476-3079
Su Gao(University of Central Florida)0000-0002-3570-2008
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-09-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Findings from this research study may support school district leaders in reducing teacher transfers by increasing school leaders’ ability to provide instructional support to teachers, monitor student learning and advance school improvement.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ domains of practice and their decision to transfer to another school within one school district or leave the school district.
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Key Findings & Data:Researchers examined teachers’ perceptions of importance and satisfaction with school leaders’ domains of practice from data collected between the 2018 and 2024 school years.
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Conclusion & Impact:Findings from this research study may support school district leaders in reducing teacher transfers by increasing school leaders’ ability to provide instructional support to teachers, monitor student learning and advance school improvement.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2018 Verileri
⚙️Variables:School leadership · district leadership · teacher attrition

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ domains of practice and their decision to transfer to another school within one school district or leave the school district. A second purpose was to investigate whether this relationship varied according to school academic achievement. To complete this study, researchers used data collected from a school district’s teacher exit survey administered to teachers who either transferred to another school within the school district or left the school district. Researchers examined teachers’ perceptions of importance and satisfaction with school leaders’ domains of practice from data collected between the 2018 and 2024 school years. Multilevel logistical regression demonstrated that teachers were more likely to transfer within the school district, rather than leave the school district, based on their perceptions of importance of the leadership domain of improving the instructional program. Perceptions of satisfaction with domains of leadership practice did not contribute significantly to teachers’ decision to transfer or leave a school. Moreover, school academic performance did not significantly contribute to teachers’ decision to transfer or leave. Findings from this research study may support school district leaders in reducing teacher transfers by increasing school leaders’ ability to provide instructional support to teachers, monitor student learning and advance school improvement.

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Cite This Article

Bixler, K., Ceballos, M., Mao, X., Gao, S. (2026). Examining the Relationship Between Teachers’ Decision to Leave or Transfer within a School District and Their Perceptions of Domains of School Leadership Practice. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, Volume: 11 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1962726

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