This presentation discusses strategies upon which to base teacher incentives, and also assumptions within these strategies. The first strategy, influencing teacher turnover rates so that good teachers remain in the profession longer and poor teachers leave teaching sooner, includes consideration of occupational rewards, career structure, benefits,…

A large-scale sociological study of teacher burnout in the public schools is summarized. Data presented in the study consist of: a sample of 3,500 teachers in Houston, whose attitudes were monitored in 1977; exit interviews of every teacher in the initial sample who subsequently quit teaching over a 5-year period; achievement and attendance…

A questionnaire was designed to explore various elements of job satisfaction, multiple employment behavior, and other variables affecting the lives and work of public school teachers in Texas. A final return of 70 percent was received from a randomly selected mailing. Results revealed that one in three teachers was considering leaving teaching. Of…

This study focused on the intrinsic motives that account for teachers leaving their profession. Former teachers in the Haifa area of Israel participated in interviews, giving reasons for leaving teaching that correlated with those found in a study of the literature. The most frequently mentioned reasons for leaving teaching were: (1) burnout and…

This applied dissertation was designed to enhance the morale among teachers at a middle school that experienced high teacher attrition each year. The solution strategies implemented addressed issues of administrative support, collegiality among teachers, parental involvement, reduction in nonteaching duties, and teacher recognition and…

Numerous years in several New York City elementary and nursery schools resulted in this article, which investigates teachers' emotions, specifically vulnerable feelings, related to their work. Often, teachers are quiet about their struggles, not wanting anyone else to know that they struggle, not wanting to expose their vulnerability. However,…

This report examines the serious and worsening problems of teacher staffing in the Philadelphia School District. Staff turnovers are high, teaching applications are down, and reliance on emergency certified teachers is up. Barriers to attracting and keeping good teachers include low salaries, more stringent state certification requirements, and…

This study examines the problem of teacher recruitment, preparation, and retention in the context of schoolwide reform in 7 of Philadelphia's 43 middle schools. The seven schools are implementing the Talent Development Middle School model of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk, a promising…

This study investigated problems in retaining New York City public school teachers beyond their first year of employment. In 1991 and 1993, researchers interviewed new teachers and people who unsuccessfully sought teaching positions, examining hiring, licensing, and teaching experiences, professional development and support, and attitudes about…

Reviews efforts undertaken in Chicago to attract minority high school graduates into teaching careers in Catholic education through scholarships and other incentives. Also describes programs to retain qualified minority teachers and administrators, including workshops, a special degree program tailored to Catholic school teachers, and efforts…

Examined attitudes of teachers in religiously integrated schools in Northern Ireland with regard to their motivation for teaching in an integrated school, comparisons between their teaching experiences in integrated and nonintegrated schools, and how teaching in an integrated school may affect their future career prospects. (LP)

In this report, the authors present the results of their analysis of who adult basic education (ABE) teachers are, how they approach their work, the challenges they face, and the concerns they have about their work. Using the teachers' own words as often as possible, this report describes teachers within their four roles, as: classroom teachers,…

In 1987, the State Board of Education cited a shortage of minority teachers in Tennessee. In 1988, The Tennessee Task Force on the Supply of Minority Teachers issued several recommendations--most of which were implemented--to increase the number of minority teachers. In 1989, House Joint Resolution 36 also requested an annual report on the status…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Taking Care of Novice Teachers: Researchers Suggest How Administrators Can Keep Their Newer Teachers Teaching and Maintain a First-Rate Faculty (Reino Makkonen); (2) Assessing…

This book describes outcomes of a special teacher-preparation program at "Central College," which recruited high-ability students. Data were derived from individual and group interviews, analysis of student journals, observation, administration of standardized instruments, and videotapes of teaching performances. Following the foreword and…