Most education agencies have implemented new teacher evaluation systems that promise to improve teacher performance. Post-observation performance feedback is a theoretically important driver of this promise as it should ultimately develop teacher-specific weaknesses. This is the first large-scale study to use the written feedback provided to…

This mixed-methods study explored teacher pathway routes in a suburban Middle Tennessee school district. The researcher examined first-year teacher job competency, perceptions of preparedness, and first-year teacher self-efficacy in traditional and alternative preparation routes. Job competency evaluations and a first-year teacher survey was…

Many prior studies have explored average differences in initial levels of teaching effectiveness among graduates from different teacher preparation programs (TPPs) and the features of preparation that predict these differences. We focus on another important dimension of effectiveness--how graduates from different TPPs improve over time. Examining…

While most teachers in Tennessee remain in their positions for many years, it is also the case that some of the most effective teachers depart each year, either to go teach in a different school, a different district, or sometimes to leave the profession entirely. Not all of these moves are avoidable, but finding ways to retain as many high…

This report presents the Tennessee 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…

The Classroom Organization and Management Program (COMP) addresses a vital need for schools, faculties, and students. The program's purpose is to meet the needs of both beginning and experienced teachers for more professional development and inservice training in classroom behavior and instructional management. COMP promotes classroom management…