We examine the effect of Michigan's 2011 reforms to teacher evaluation and tenure policies on teacher retention. Our data are drawn from administrative records containing the population of public school employees from 2005-2006 through 2014-2015. To identify the causal effects of these reforms on teacher attrition, we utilize a…

In July 2011, the State of Michigan adopted a broad set of teacher labor market reforms, including a high-stakes evaluation system designed in part to remove low-performing teachers. We examine the characteristics of teachers rated as "minimally effective" and "ineffective," as well as their schools, and the relationship…

This paper presents a quasi-experimental evaluation of a required, teaching-focused, new faculty program at a large research university. The study makes use of institutional data, including student evaluations of teaching and faculty participation in educational development activities, which are available on many campuses yet rarely used in…

This article reports on a 2-year qualitative research study of the processes by which middle school principals' policies and actions shaped the experiences of five novice teachers in two Michigan school districts. We examined beginning teachers' perceptions of principals' approaches to managing student behavior, instructional leadership, and…

TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM, MADONNA COLLEGE COLLECTED INFORMATION ON THE FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING OF 86 OF ITS 101 STUDENTS WHO WERE RECOMMENDED FOR CERTIFICATION DURING THE PAST 6 YEARS. THE PRINCIPALS EMPLOYING THESE GRADUATES COMPLETED AN EIGHT-ITEM OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONNAIRE ON HIGH AND LOW POINTS OF…

This paper presents the Michigan edition of the National Council on Teacher Quality's 2008 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook". The 2008 "Yearbook" focuses on how state policies impact the retention of effective new teachers. This policy evaluation is broken down into three areas that encompass 15 goals. Broadly, these goals…

For five years running, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has tracked states' teacher policies, preparing a detailed and thorough compendium of teacher policy in the United States on topics related to teacher preparation, licensure, evaluation, career advancement, tenure, compensation, pensions and dismissal. The "2011 State…

A survey concerning peer observations of non-tenured teachers was administered in the Clarkston Public School District (Michigan). The goal was to obtain opinions about retaining peers to observe non-tenured teachers in the tenure receiving process. Of the 150 principals, tenured teachers, and non-tenured teachers surveyed, 86 responded. The…

This guide for beginning teachers provides assistance in the following areas: (1) "Physical Environment and Materials" (e.g., room arrangement and bulletin boards); (2) "Setting Expectations" (e.g., rules and consequences and early parent communication); (3) "First Days of School" (e.g., activities and teacher daily…