We report on a series of pilot programs that we developed and carried out to support the success and satisfaction of new faculty, particularly faculty of color. We hope that others committed to retaining and supporting underrepresented faculty can apply our learning from this pilot project, as a whole or in part.

The National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality (NCCTQ) was launched in 2005 as part of a comprehensive system of content-based technical assistance to support states in implementing the priorities of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. NCCTQ's mission is to support Regional Comprehensive Centers (RCCs), states, and other education…

Data in this report reveals that collectively bargaining agreements are not the source of the teacher quality problem in urban school districts. The data shows that collective bargaining agreements are associated with reduced teacher transfer activity, especially in high-poverty schools, and less reliance on first-year teachers to staff…

Teach for America (TFA) is a national teacher corps of outstanding individuals who commit themselves to teach for 2 years in urban and rural areas that are experiencing persistent teacher shortages. TFA selects corps members through an intensive application process, operates inservice institutes to prepare them to enter the classroom, clusters…

Addressed to the first year physical education teacher, this booklet offers general and specific suggestions for successfully adapting to a new role and a new environment. The first chapter deals with the new teacher's introduction into an unfamiliar social structure. A table presents an orientation guide listing elements that must be considered:…

This study explored how many teachers were leaving public school districts in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin during their first 5 years in teaching. Researchers analyzed four types of novice teachers, including those who: taught continuously in the same district all 5 years, transferred to another district within the state but…

This paper describes Project Launch, a beginning teacher induction program that combines individual mentoring with large group meetings that address participants' concerns. Planned by a committee of local teachers, administrators, and teacher educators, Project Launch has operated since 1996-97. Unique features include extensive interinstitutional…

The nation is currently battling a shortage of qualified teacher candidates. An escalating concern beyond the limited pool of candidates is the high attrition rate in many school districts. Today's fledgling teachers are choosing not to follow the pattern of their parents and grandparents who have historically remained at a single job or one…

This paper examines findings from a study that investigated the reasons for high teacher attrition rates in South Carolina public schools. Surveys of 359 former teachers and interviews with respondents indicated that the primary issue in teacher attrition was lack of support for beginning teachers from the building and district level…

This study investigated problematic aspects of teaching that influenced beginning teachers' decisions to continue teaching or leave the profession. Participants were new teachers with 3 or less years of experience from 25 south Texas districts. Surveys were mailed to each campus for distribution. The survey instrument asked teachers about…

The purpose of this study is to describe the level of administrator support perceived by special education teachers in South Texas. The literature on teacher retention indicates that "lack of administrative support" as an important reason for leaving the profession. This study examined the factors related to administrator support…

Teacher attrition has become a very serious problem in the United States in recent years. Studies have shown that many talented, new teachers are leaving the profession early in their careers due to feelings of isolation. In response to the alarming turnover rate, school districts have adopted mentoring programs which have been successful at…

The attrition rate of 1st-year special education teachers is a mounting concern. Researchers have identified several factors that contribute to the stress that many novice teachers experience and their subsequent attrition. If necessary support from mentors, colleagues, and administrators is not in place, many 1st-year teachers opt to leave the…

Novice teachers who begin their careers in urban settings abandon teaching at dismal rates. Although teacher education programs make varying efforts to incorporate awareness about the diverse contexts of urban schooling into the preservice teacher curriculum--from the "one course approach" to whole curriculum imbedded--little is known about the…

The study reported in this symposium created a profile of teacher education graduates which raises issues related to teacher professionalism and teacher retention in the field. A common teacher education follow-up survey instrument was administered to beginning professionals from seven different universities in five states. Data were gathered from…