This project surveyed special education teachers who were employed in the Gadsden Independent School District, Anthony, New Mexico, during the 1992-93 academic year to identify attitudinal differences between special education teachers (N=8) who departed the district the following year and those (N=32) who remained in the district. A survey instrument was developed for the study. Teachers who departed tended to express more favorable opinions of principal support, school environment, student preparation, and student behavior. Teachers who departed tended to be first and second year teachers, and some were employed on special education provisional licenses. Teachers who remained in the district provided more favorable responses related to student contact, the ability of students to speak English, student cooperativeness, and student attendance. Overall, departure of special education teachers tended to be related to several factors: (1) the desire to relocate; (2) less than 5 years of teaching experience in the position being vacated; and (3) teaching under waivers in the position being vacated. The researcher's personal reactions to the research process are also provided as are reactions of administrators to survey results. (Author/DB)