BOISE -- Nearly 1,300 Idaho teachers left the profession in 2011, up from about 700 the previous year.
School districts reported more than half of the educators who abandoned teaching in 2011 left for "personal reasons."
Idaho Education Association President Penni Cyr says the statewide teachers union is saddened about the development but not surprised. She blamed new education changes that, among other things, limit teacher collective bargaining and eliminate job protections.
Public schools chief Tom Luna countered that his reforms did not take effect until the current school year.
Luna says the economy is a more likely culprit for why more teachers left the profession for personal reasons. He gave the example of teachers leaving to follow spouses who lost jobs and moved to another state to find work.
