This case study explores the reality shock experienced by a White novice teacher, committed to socially just teaching, in her first year in an urban context. The apparently successful novice held three beliefs about her practice and herself: that socially just teaching was a holistic practice; that it could and should be done "right"; and that,…

This article discusses what it means to be a beginning teacher from the perspective of four mid-career entrants to the profession. Findings from this ethnographic study suggest that regardless of preservice teacher preparation or school districts' formal induction practices, newcomers experience a dramatic threshold or liminal phase among…

The need to support and retain beginning teachers has become critical given: (1) the shortage of teachers in certain disciplines, and (2) the current emphasis on teacher qualifications and student achievement. In this study, five first year special education teachers in the southwestern section of the United States provided information on the…

This brief report provides an update to the analysis of five cohorts of new teachers in the Baltimore City Public School System (1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04). Presented here are updated retention figures using Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) teacher data for 2004-05, comparing teachers with different certification…

This issue of "Lessons Learned" carries the heading "They're Not Little Kids Anymore: The Special Challenge of New Teachers in High Schools and Middle Schools." It goes without saying that almost all parents love their children dearly, but nearly 9 in 10 admit "kids become a lot more challenging when they hit the teen years." So in a way, it…

Beginning teachers continue to exit the classroom in alarming numbers, despite numerous recruitment and retention strategies. High teacher turnover rates result in a deficit of quality teachers and instruction; a loss of continuity and commitment; and time, attention, and funds devoted to recruitment versus support. The purpose of this empirical…

Suggests that mentoring shows great promise and proven results in supporting new teachers, describing the successful Beginning Teacher Assistance Program at the University of Wisconsin River Falls and examining: what makes mentoring work, the importance of commitment to the theory of mentoring, benefits for mentees, overcoming obstacles to…

Practicing family and consumer sciences (FCS) teachers (n=83) were asked about their perceptions regarding the teacher shortage and their suggestions for recruiting and retaining teachers. They shared advice for beginning teachers on the challenges and rewards of the classroom and affirmed teachers' personal role in recruitment and retention.…

Examined the occupational stability of 1992-1993 bachelor's degree recipients, examining whether those who were teaching in 1994 were more or less likely that those who were working in other occupations in 1994 to have left the workforce or to be working in a different occupation by 1997. (Author/SLD)

The purpose of this paper was to examine the cross-national performance of fourth- and eighth-grade students in mathematics on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2003. The TIMSS assessment data were used to identify nations that have a competitive edge in the critical area of mathematics. The Trends in International…

In today's challenging educational system, teachers experience burnout faster than a speeding bullet. Why do teachers leave schools? It is incumbent upon school administrators to implement effective programs to attract and keep quality teachers. The purpose of this article is to explore the reasons for teacher turnover. The authors explore key…

Background/Context: In order to develop effective strategies for retaining able and committed teachers, it is important to understand how new teachers experience their work with their colleagues. A previous qualitative study conducted by the authors and others presented a conceptual framework for understanding new teachers' experiences of the…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Congress Delays Action on Budget Resolution: Will Take It Up in June, but Expects to Postpone Final Spending…

Early career special educators must be engaged in conversations with developers of preservice teacher preparation programs to co-construct initial teacher education programs which meet their needs. The process of listening to the teachers themselves could serve to ensure that teachers are an explicit element of program design. This article…

In "Brighter Beginnings for Teachers," Pullen identifies the issues that send teachers screaming from the profession, including the primary problem of behavior management. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 30?50% of teachers quit the profession within the first 5 years, and that lack of preparation in classroom management is the…