What is the Teacher Follow-up Survey (TFS)?
The TFS is a follow-up survey with a sample of teachers that participated in the 2023-24 National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS). The TFS is more focused on how changes in a teacher’s career and life affect work. The results help to:
- Measure teacher retention and attrition;
- Understand the effects of school policies and practices on teachers' decisions to remain in or leave the profession;
- Develop incentive programs to encourage teachers to remain in the profession; and
- Describe how teachers rate their workplace conditions relative to other professions.
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What is the purpose of this survey?
The purpose of this survey is to obtain information about the career paths of teachers, including current teachers' experiences and satisfaction, and former teachers' current employment and reasons for leaving the teaching profession. The data are used by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, public school districts, and education research organizations.
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How long does it take to complete the TFS questionnaire?
The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average between 19 and 20 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection.
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Who authorizes this survey?
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education, is authorized to conduct this survey by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. § 9543). The U.S. Census Bureau is administering this survey on behalf of the NCES. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved this survey. The OMB control number is 1850-0617 and the approval expiration date is 06/30/2027.
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Why should I participate in this survey?
This is a chance for your voice to be heard by education leaders! Policymakers and educational leaders rely on data from this survey to inform their decisions concerning K–12 schools. Updating your responses since last year's National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS) provides us with vital information about teacher retention and attrition. This survey provides important insight into the career paths of teachers, and your participation will contribute to the success of this survey. You were specifically chosen as part of this scientific study among teachers who participated in the NTPS last year, and we cannot replace you with anyone else. Your answers will ensure that teachers like yourself, whether you're still teaching or have left the teaching profession, are counted.
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Will my responses be kept confidential?
Yes, both the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Census Bureau follow strict procedures to protect the confidentiality of study participants. Your responses to the survey questions will not be shared with your school administration. All of the information you provide may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). Participation is voluntary, but responses are necessary to make the results of this study accurate and timely.
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How will my information be reported?
The information you provide will be combined with the information provided by others in statistical reports. No individually-identifiable data will be included in the statistical reports.
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I am retired/no longer a teacher. Why do I need to participate?
The sample for the TFS includes former teachers in order to measure teacher attrition, understand the effect of school policies and practices on teachers' decisions to leave the profession, and determine how teachers rate their workplace conditions relative to other professions.
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Who can answer general questions regarding this survey?
The U.S. Census Bureau can answer any questions you have about the survey. Staff can be reached by phone at 1-888-595-1338 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday, or 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Saturday and Sunday. You can also contact the U.S. Census Bureau via e-mail at ntps@census.gov.
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