The issue of teacher absenteeism has become an increasingly important topic in educational policy, as teachers have gained generous sick day and personal leave benefits. The financial cost of teacher absenteeism is also problematic. In one national survey, the combined costs of absent teachers and substitutes came to $2 billion yearly. The…

Although states have maintained a focus on recruiting and retaining teachers, many schools and districts still face daunting challenges in ensuring a qualified and competent teaching corps. It is particularly difficult for schools considered hard to staff-those with high concentrations of low-performing, low-income students; high teacher turnover;…

Summarizes the findings of several studies and evaluations of South Carolina's Educational Improvement Act. Generally, South Carolina educators claim that the reform movement has created excessive demands on their time, while the benefits of many prescriptive requirements are unclear. Several questions are raised about reform intent versus…

Under the leadership of State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, with the support of the South Carolina Department of Education's Division of Teaching Quality (DTQ) and the South Carolina Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA), South Carolina became only the second state in the nation to study teacher…

This paper examines findings from a study that investigated the reasons for high teacher attrition rates in South Carolina public schools. Surveys of 359 former teachers and interviews with respondents indicated that the primary issue in teacher attrition was lack of support for beginning teachers from the building and district level…

Included in this edition of the "In-the-Know" Access & Equity Newsletter are: (1) State Losing Black Instructors (Gina Smith); (2) Time to Join Together to Seek "Economic Rights" (Darla Moore); and (3) "Advancing Diversity in Higher Education--Diversity Digest" (Mark Giles, Ed.), which is a reprint of an article…

The survey committee of the United States Bureau of Education brings to Columbia, South Carolina's attention those practices which are generally held by other communities, for the present, at least, to be the best. In its effort to get at the facts it has received the unhesitating cooperation of the school commissioners, the superintendent, and…