This paper describes the Beginning Teacher Survey Study's rationale, design, theoretical framework, research questions, and findings. The study was designed to: develop a survey that would gather information from beginning teachers about their preservice and induction learning experiences; develop theoretically and empirically based constructs of…

This study was designed to clarify beginning teacher characteristics and training that are important for success in various types of school districts. Researchers administered a questionnaire to Texas and Tennessee school personnel. Respondents ranked items in terms of importance, focusing on four categories: personal characteristics, student…

The relationships among scores on the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) and the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) and scores achieved on objectively scored observation instruments were studied in 100 graduates of teacher preparation programs at Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville). Of these, 62 had completed the NTE and 27 had taken…

The relationships among test scores from the American College Testing program test (ACT), the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST), the American College Testing College Outcomes Measures Project test (ACT COMP), the National Teacher Examinations (NTE), final grade point average (GPA) in the major field of study, and overall GPA were studied in 615…

This report presents data on Tennessee's teaching workforce. There has been a recent increase in the percentage of new, inexperienced teachers hired in Tennessee. While there was no change in teacher turnover in recent years, the loss of new teachers became more serious throughout the 1990s. Lack of teacher and administrator diversity remained a…

Several tests from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) have been used or are candidates for use by the Tennessee State Department of Education as initial licensure endorsement area tests. Memphis State University conducted a study in 1991 to recommend minimum qualifying scores for endorsement area applicants who would take the applicable tests.…

In 1988 a study was conducted to determine the validity of candidate teacher licensure examinations for use in Tennessee under the 1984 Comprehensive Education Reform Act. The Department of Education conducted a study to determine the validity of 11 previously unvalidated or extensively revised tests for certification and to make recommendations…

This publication focuses on the teaching quality goals and priorities of nine Southeastern U.S. states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee), reviewing each state's Title II proposals. The report highlights seven priority areas of focus for regional alliances: constructing…

In October 1986, the Tennessee State Board of Education adopted nine principles setting forth a framework for the design of an improved teacher education system in Tennessee and identifying major areas of responsibility for higher education institutions, local school systems, and the state. The principles include: (1) liberal arts preparation; (2)…

The licensure of public school personnel in Tennessee is a function of the State Department of Education (SDE). Additional requirements for this certification function were added by the Comprehensive Education Reform Act (Senate Bill Number 1) of the 1984 Tennessee General Assembly. The Act mandated that the SDE use tests to assess the competence…