Analysis of the extent to which 24 working conditions influenced the self-perceived reality shock of 211 beginning teachers revealed that the subjects' reality ratings were more positive than their expectation ratings in only two areas: help from other teachers and administrator observations. Teachers generally reported different sources of…

Individuals making the transition from student to teacher must be prepared to undertake a new and varied role. Beginning teachers must adjust to the new environment while learning as much as possible about the school and its policies. (DF)

This paper examines the development of beginning teacher support programs, noting that the attrition rate for beginning teachers is extremely high. Support programs can help schools and districts improve teacher retention rates by enhancing new teacher satisfaction. Support for beginning teachers can include personal and emotional support; task-…

Reports on a pilot investigation into the perceptions of graduate teachers (n=9) of their science teaching during their first 18 months as educators. Emergent themes relate to the teachers' perceived self-confidence in teaching science, and to school influences such as collegial support, resources, and the perceived importance of science in the…

Investigates teachers' professional lives during their early years of teaching in the Victoria, Australia area. Suggests that the concept of the beginning teacher as a novice progressing to expert had limited value. Reveals the critical influence of the social and political context in enabling supportive communities to foster the proper…

Beginning teachers are often given teaching assignments that would challenge even the most skillful veteran teachers. Such assignments can take several forms: teaching in a subject area for which the teacher is not certified; having too many class preparations; "floating" from classroom to classroom; working with low-ability, unmotivated, or…

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.

A survey of South Texas Special Education teachers was conducted to determine how they perceived their behavior management skills in the classroom and what effect, if any, this had on their job satisfaction. The majority of teachers were confident in their ability to accomplish the management demands of the classroom. The teachers who showed the…

Research supports teacher preparation programs to recognize stress factors and to assist students and new teachers with effective coping mechanisms. Twenty-five to fifty percent of beginning teachers resign during their first three years of teaching (Fleener, 2001; Roulston, Legette, & Womack, 2005). Among all the causes, stress from teaching is…

This study sought to understand how first year physical education teachers perceived their workplace, how they believed it affected their first year of work, and how they understood the role of that workplace in shaping their induction into the social and organizational context of the school. Interviews were conducted with 12 physical education…

This study was designed to develop a profile of the 1983-84 graduates of Oregon schools and colleges of education one year after completion of their programs. A 42-item questionnaire was sent to 1,821 graduates with a 65 percent return rate. Five major topics served as the basis for development of the profile: (1) demographic and certification…

Teachers who were newly trained in Northern Ireland in 1985 and who found employment completed a questionnaire regarding their participation in either external or school-based induction programs. Secondary teachers were compared with primary teachers. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Compares and contrasts first year teaching experiences of a grandmother (1919) and granddaughter (1980) in small, isolated, rural New Mexico schools. Offers suggestions for improving recruitment and retention of rural teachers in areas of salary, housing conditions, school philosophy and morale, student population, and community life. (NEC)

Described are the individual problems and frustrations encountered by three Japanese teachers working within a rigid school system. Without calling specific attention to the parallel, the situations described in the article could easily be applied to many American schools. Much attention is given to student evaluation problems. (MA)

This study surveyed 553 Kansas beginning teachers regarding their perceptions of support and job satisfaction during their first year. Overall, respondents were most likely to experience traditional orientation activities. They were less likely to experience teaching conditions that took into account their unique needs as beginners and less likely…