"R&D Alert" covers issues affecting schools in the Western Regional Educational Laboratory's four-state region--Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah--and throughout the United States. This issue of "R&D Alert" shares what WestEd is learning from a sample of their latest work, focusing on three points in the process:…

Just as the pool of qualified teacher applicants is shrinking and attrition rates are soaring, new standards are making entry into the teaching profession more difficult. Teachers can make sure their school system doesn't get caught in the crunch by implementing the approach from this visionary guide. Daniel A. Heller describes a top-to-bottom…

In this comprehensive manual, author Peter Gow helps schools become communities where teachers are nurtured "from raw recruits into seasoned, effective, and even beloved professionals." Peter Gow, academic dean at Beaver Country Day School (MA), lays out a step-by-step approach to building and keeping a strong faculty, a school's greatest asset.…

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…

With both high retirement and high attrition rates among K?12 teachers and a burgeoning student population nationwide, more teachers are needed. Yet if we are to turn around schools in need of improvement, help all students meet rigorous academic standards, and close the achievement gap, simply getting more teachers into the profession will not…

Although shortages of certified special education teachers occur in both rural and urban areas, they are more critical in rural districts, where recruitment can be problematic and there are few special educators on staff. In response to chronic shortages in the state, the Utah State Office of Education created a critical personnel shortages…

In this case study, we describe a strategic initiative that partnered public schools with the fifth largest land-grant university system in the United States to improve statewide recruitment, training, hiring, and retention of K-12 teachers. This effort sought parallel implementation among nine university system institutions in partnership with…

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 purpose of this research was to investigate how important the six literature-identified recruitment factors of Benefits, Institutional Climate, Diversity, External Influences, Prestige, and Working Conditions were to California community college faculty in their decision to accept a certificated position. To accomplish this purpose, the…

This study examined key factors contributing to the persistence of urban teachers who entered teaching through alternative certification programs. It explored how they constructed meanings from the processes, events, and relationships they experienced. Data came from a 1991-92 cohort of alternatively certified teachers who received tenure in 1994…

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…

Nationwide, the shortage of special education teachers is expected to grow, fueled by expanding demand and high teacher attrition rates. The situation in Texas mirrors that of the nation. A needs assessment conducted by Abilene Christian University (ACU) in west central Texas found: a continuing need for special education teachers in the area;…

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…

Examines educator drop out rates in Illinois and reveals that this problem is not as great as has been reported in the media. (FL)