Percentage distribution of public K–12 school principals who left the profession between school years, by occupational status: School years 2008–09, 2012–13, 2016–17, and 2021–22

Current occupational status	2008–09		2012–13	2016–17		2021–22
All public school principal leavers	100.0		100.0	100.0		100.0

Retired – not working outside the home	48.0		38.3	32.9		32.3

Leavers who were working in a position in a K–12 school, but not as a principal	14.3		24.8	27.3		21.2
Working in the same school, but not as principal	3.5		8.8	8.4		9.2
Working in a different public school, but not as principal	10.7		14.2	17.8		11.4
Working in a private school, but not as principal	‡		‡	1.1	!	0.6	!

Leavers who were working in a position in K–12 education, but not in a K–12 school	34.3		29.9	31.7		40.9
Working in a district or administrative office as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or other higher-level administrator	23.2		18.8	19.1		22.3
Working in a district or administrative office, in a position other than that of superintendent, assistant superintendent, or other higher-level administrator	8.7		8.1	8.9		15.2
Working at a job associated with K–12 education, but not directly associated with any schools or school system	2.4	!	3.0	3.6		3.3

Working at a job outside of K–12 education	3.3		7.0	8.1		5.6

! Interpret data with caution. The coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is between 30 percent and 50 percent (i.e., the standard error is at least 30 percent and less than 50 percent of the estimate).

‡ Reporting standards not met. Either there are too few cases for a reliable estimate, or the coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is 50 percent or greater (i.e., the standard error is 50 percent or more of the estimate).

NOTE: Data are weighted estimates of the population. “Leavers” are principals in the SASS/NTPS school year who were no longer principals in the subsequent PFS school year. In the 2008–09 school year, 11.9 percent of public school principals from 2007–08 were categorized as “leavers”. In the 2012–13 school year, 11.5 percent of public school principals from 2011–12 were categorized as “leavers." In the 2016–17 school year, 9.8 percent of public school principals from 2015–16 were categorized as “leavers." In the 2021–22 school year, 11.2 percent of public school principals from 2020–21 were categorized as “leavers." Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding and because data are not shown for principals in the following categories: deceased, working in a K–12 school not as a principal, school type unkown; and still working in K–12 education not in a school and position unknown.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), Teacher Follow-up Survey (PFS), “Former Principal Data Files,” 2008–09 and 2012–13; National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS), Principal Follow-up Survey (PFS), “Former Principal Data Files,” 2016–17 and 2021–22.