This paper is a report on a study of public-school teachers' salaries in Iowa. The general purpose of the study was to better understand how recent teacher-compensation legislation would affect the Iowa education system. Specific goals were to examine the current Iowa public-school salary schedules and salaries across time (1984-2002); to compare…

Teach for America (TFA) is a national teacher corps of outstanding individuals who commit themselves to teach for 2 years in urban and rural areas that are experiencing persistent teacher shortages. TFA selects corps members through an intensive application process, operates inservice institutes to prepare them to enter the classroom, clusters…

This study was designed to ascertain whether differences existed between the academic, affective, and personal characteristics of teacher education persisters and nonpersisters. The subjects were comprised of a longitudinal sample of approximately 550 teacher candidates entering teacher training at one institution (Bowling Green State University,…

A year-long teaching internship in lieu of student teaching has been offered by the College of Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with special funding targeted toward individuals who already had received undergraduate degrees in areas of study other than education and who were seeking teacher certification at the secondary level.…

The impact of factors related to professional socialization on job satisfaction and retention among faculty members in research university schools of nursing was studied. The impact of professional communication on clarity of professional role was also assessed. The study sample was drawn from nurse faculty members from schools of nursing which…

Tenure and attrition rates within the Florida State University System (SUS) were studied. Attention was directed to attrition of newly hired tenure-earning faculty members who began employment at an SUS institution in either 1976, 1977, or 1978. Each faculty group was traced from date of hire through the seventh year of employment or until they…

The paper, originally given at a 1986 Ethnic and Multicultural Symposium, describes the findings of a study of Black special education teachers and the factors influential in their selection and continued participation in the profession. The study surveyed 101 Black special education teachers in 64 Mississippi school districts. Subjects were among…

Although shortages of certified special education teachers occur in both rural and urban areas, they are more critical in rural districts, where recruitment can be problematic and there are few special educators on staff. In response to chronic shortages in the state, the Utah State Office of Education created a critical personnel shortages…

In this case study, we describe a strategic initiative that partnered public schools with the fifth largest land-grant university system in the United States to improve statewide recruitment, training, hiring, and retention of K-12 teachers. This effort sought parallel implementation among nine university system institutions in partnership with…

This paper describes Project Launch, a beginning teacher induction program that combines individual mentoring with large group meetings that address participants' concerns. Planned by a committee of local teachers, administrators, and teacher educators, Project Launch has operated since 1996-97. Unique features include extensive interinstitutional…

This study examined key factors contributing to the persistence of urban teachers who entered teaching through alternative certification programs. It explored how they constructed meanings from the processes, events, and relationships they experienced. Data came from a 1991-92 cohort of alternatively certified teachers who received tenure in 1994…

Nationwide, the shortage of special education teachers is expected to grow, fueled by expanding demand and high teacher attrition rates. The situation in Texas mirrors that of the nation. A needs assessment conducted by Abilene Christian University (ACU) in west central Texas found: a continuing need for special education teachers in the area;…

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…

This study of 98 special education teachers investigated the reasons for the high attrition of special education teachers in Kentucky. The participants were asked to give three reasons (in no more than one phrase) why in their opinion special education teachers leave special education and choose to teach general education. The most common reason…

This study analyzed the relationship between the occupational decisions of teachers or potential teachers and salary differences that exist between teachers and workers who are employed in alternative occupations. Occupational choice theory is reviewed, and research related to teacher salary, teacher recruitment, and teacher retention is analyzed.…