In Columbia, South Carolina, WSPA reports that an extensive study was conducted by the University of South Carolina. The survey targeted 25,000 teachers statewide to gain insights into the conditions they experience at work.
The findings from the 2025 Teacher Working Conditions Survey emphasized how vital resources and support from administration are in ensuring that teachers remain content and continue their roles in education.
Angela Starrett, PhD, affiliated with SC Teacher, explained, “By examining teacher working conditions, we can gain a clearer understanding of the factors that impact educators’ job satisfaction and the reasons behind their decisions to stay in or leave the classroom.”
The survey, conducted by SC Teacher at USC, captured feedback from 75% of school districts in the state.
Starrett said the goal is to help school leaders understand what matters most to educators.
“Resources, at the end of the day, administrative support, parent support, coworker support, professional development support, they really have a stronger relationship to teachers, job satisfaction and their intent to stay in the classroom,” she explained.
According to the survey, 70% of teachers said they’re satisfied with their job and plan to stay in the profession.
Dean of USC’s College of Education, Tommy Hodges, said it’s important to look at the numbers because having good educators is so important.
“There’s been a 40% decline in enrollment and traditional teacher preparation. We have not seen that here. We’re expecting a record-breaking freshman class coming in this fall,” he added, “We’re the largest preparer of teachers in South Carolina, where the flagship College of Education [is]. We have a responsibility to prepare high quality and a high volume of educators here in the college. “
Starrett said the General Assembly gives her research team $2 million annually.
Hodges said he is grateful for the work SC Teacher does.
“There is no profession that has a greater impact on society than being an educator. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing that light bulb moment in children’s eyes, and to to be there and to be of service to communities,” he added.
Starrett said although the increase in teacher salary was not a big fact in the survey, she believes the increase from the General Assembly is key in teacher retention.
SC Teacher will conduct another working conditions survey in 2027.
