Working Paper: NBER ID: w25263
Authors: Aliza N. Husain; David A. Matsa; Amalia R. Miller
Abstract: Using a 40-year panel of all public school teachers and principals in New York State, we explore how female principals affect rates of teacher turnover—an important determinant of school quality. We find that male teachers are about 12% more likely to leave their schools when they work under female principals than under male principals. In contrast, we find no such effects for female teachers. Furthermore, when male teachers request transfers, they are more likely to be to schools with male principals. These results suggest that opposition from male subordinates could inhibit female progress in leadership.
Keywords: teacher turnover; female principals; male teachers; leadership; education policy
JEL Codes: J16; J45; J71; K31; M51
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| principal gender (Y20) | male teacher turnover (J63) |
| principal gender (Y20) | female teacher turnover (I21) |
| male teacher turnover (J63) | principal gender (Y20) |
| male teacher preferences (A21) | principal gender (Y20) |