External, employment, and personal factors which influence teacher decisions to stay, leave, or transfer from teaching assignments are discussed, with emphasis on special education teachers. Factors attributed to teacher attrition in urban and rural environments also are briefly reviewed, along with attrition of related services professionals. External factors affecting teachers include economic trends, societal factors such as changing birth rates, and institutional factors. Employment-related variables include professional qualifications, work conditions, work rewards, and commitment. Personal factors encompass demographic, family, and cognitive/affective variables. The following aspects of district or school environments have been found to be associated with teacher attrition: lack of administrative support, lack of collegial and parent support, and insufficient involvement in decision-making. Factors linked to job dissatisfaction among related service professionals (including speech/language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and school psychologists) in school settings include salary, inadequate work and/or office space, inadequate equipment or materials, excessive caseloads, limited staff development, and isolation from colleagues. (Contains 17 references.) (SW)