Survey: Nearly 1 in 4 Teachers Have Considered Leaving the Profession Over Safety Concerns

Nearly one-quarter of teachers surveyed across four countries said they have left or considered leaving the teaching profession because of concerns about their physical safety, according to a new report examining the relationship between school safety and teacher retention.

The findings come from the 2026 Global Teacher Study, conducted by Vivi and FullScale, formerly The Learning Accelerator. Approximately 2,000 educators from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada participated in the study in early 2026.

The majority of respondents reported feeling physically safe at school. More than 90% said their schools have infrastructure in place to promote their safety, nearly 80% said they feel supported in an emergency, and approximately 98% believe their school prioritizes their safety to some degree.

However, more than 20% said they think about their physical safety at work every day or most days, while approximately 24% said they have either left or considered leaving the teaching profession because of safety concerns.

Teacher Turnover Carries Additional Costs

About 16% of U.S. public school teachers leave their jobs each year, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality. Replacing a single teacher can cost a district an estimated $12,000 to $25,000 in recruitment, hiring, and onboarding expenses, according to the Learning Policy Institute.

Research has also linked teacher turnover with lower student achievement. A recent study of nearly 1.5 million New York City students found an association between higher teacher turnover and an increased likelihood of students receiving office discipline referrals and suspensions, although researchers could not determine whether turnover led to increased discipline or vice versa.

Teachers Who Considered Leaving Report Lower Levels of Safety Support

The Vivi/FullScale report found notable differences between teachers who had considered leaving because of physical safety concerns and those who had not.

Among the 1,443 respondents who had not considered leaving because of safety concerns:

• 65% said their school strongly prioritizes their safety
• 60% said they would feel extremely supported during an emergency
• 15% said they think about their physical safety at least most days

Among the 444 respondents who had left or considered leaving because of safety concerns:

• 25% said their school strongly prioritizes their safety
• 24% said they would feel extremely supported during an emergency
• 33% said they would feel somewhat or not at all supported during an emergency
• 35% said they think about their physical safety at least most days

The study also examined whether teachers view physical safety as a factor in their professional success. Overall, respondents ranked safety relatively low compared with factors such as relationships with students, student engagement, and student achievement.

However, among respondents who had left or considered leaving because of physical safety concerns, 13% ranked physical safety as the most important factor influencing their perception of professional success, compared with 7% of those who had never considered leaving because of safety.

Previous Research Shows Teacher Safety Concerns

The report also cites previous research documenting violence, threats, and safety concerns among educators.

A national study of more than 4,000 U.S. teachers found 43.7% had experienced verbal threats, physical assault, or property damage. The report also cites research finding that 27% of female U.S. teachers reported fear of being harmed at school.

International research has identified similar concerns. A 2024 Australian study found 20% to 25% of responding teachers felt unsafe at school, with those who perceived a lack of safety more likely to report an intention to leave the profession. In a 2025 U.K. teachers' union survey, approximately 40% of respondents reported physical abuse from students and 85% reported verbal abuse.

The 2026 study examined both physical safety, defined as feeling safe from harm, and psychological safety, defined as feeling comfortable speaking up and sharing concerns. Teachers participating in focus groups identified several systems and structures used to support their safety, including campus aides, school police, locked-door policies, and security sign-in procedures.

The report identifies two areas for school leaders to consider:

• Having clear and reliable emergency protocols that tell stakeholders what is happening and what to do
• Maintaining consistent communication that demonstrates safety is an ongoing priority