Reviews selected research on efforts to support, motivate, and retain experienced teachers, including professional development, ongoing mentoring, promoting resiliency, and empowerment. (PKP)

Relates stories about the benefits of project-based learning. Describes engaging students through projects, motivating hard-to-reach students, and challenges for teachers. Includes list of common features of project-based learning. (PKP)

The Model Science Lab, a constructivist approach to teaching, strengthens urban science teachers' teaching practice. The retention rate of Houston science teachers who took part in the program was found to be very high and the cost of the Model Science Lab has proven less expensive per student than most other professional development options.

The recruitment and retainment of new and veteran teachers in schools that experience high poverty and low performance is a constant challenge in US school districts. How a new set of initiatives launched by the School District of Philadelphia resulted in a significant drop in its new teacher attrition rate is examined.

A common but largely unacknowledged problem in public education in the US is the practice of hazing beginning teachers that leads to low retention rates. Factors that contribute to new teachers leaving high schools and often the teaching profession are presented and how these can and should be mitigated is discussed.

Describes several instructional strategies successful schools have commonly used to raise the academic achievement of poor and minority students. Achievement-gap closure strategies include emphasizing reading skills, teaching higher order thinking skills, routinely reviewing material, making at-risk students participate in class, requiring…

Schools in the Houston (Texas) area use training and reward systems to attract and keep bilingual teachers. (Author)