Describes a Nebraska case where a signing bonus awarded to a new teacher was contested by the teachers' association. Provides a two-part legal reminder to school authorities. Does the state have a collective bargaining law that mandates bargaining in such situations? If so, negotiate the matter into a clearly provable agreement. (Author/MLF)

The percentage of black teachers in the teaching force has been declining since the 1970s. While academic performance of black college students has been steadily improving, there has been a steep decline in black college enrollment, and few of those limited numbers of black college students are interested in teaching as a career. Includes…

Based on information from interviews with 50 first- and second-year teachers in Massachusetts, proposes a mixed model for the teaching career: one that would be responsive to the needs of both teachers who envision long-term careers and those who envision short-term stays in teaching. Draws implications for teacher recruitment and retention…

Having undergone major improvement in recent years, state governments were able to respond decisively when the public showed alarm over the condition of education. Since educational reform depends on leadership by teachers, enhancement of the teaching profession in terms of status, participant quality, and training must be encouraged. (PGD)

The U.S. is facing a serious shortage of math and science teachers. Worse news is that we are not now training enough new teachers to remedy the problem. Solutions may include differential pay, inservice staff development, school-industry cooperation, improved work environments, and computer-assisted instruction. (Author/JM)

Data indicate that teaching attracts and retains a disproportionately high percentage of those with low measured academic ability and fails to attract and retain those with high ability. If policy makers wish to change this situation, they must be prepared to pay the price. (Author)