Recent concern about teacher shortages has raised questions about the attractiveness of the teaching profession. This issue brief examines whether teacher salaries have increased in recent years, how they compare with salaries in other entry-level occupations, and how they vary within and across school districts in the nation. Data on scheduled…

This paper addresses issues related to school location, staff turnover, and educational improvement through community involvement. A study involving second-year teachers in Australia indicates that teacher satisfaction was related to satisfying relationships with fellow staff and with students who were cooperative and enthusiastic about learning.…

The broad area of teacher satisfaction is an important component in career decisions about teaching. Some sources of satisfaction are the joy of helping students learn, the sense of efficacy, positive relationships with colleagues, satisfactory working conditions, the leadership style of principals, and the prestige and esteem associated with…

This paper examines factors which may impact on recruitment and retention of members of the African-American teaching pool. Data were gathered through questionnaires and interviews administered to prospective and beginning teachers (N=41) to determine background characteristics, reasons for entering the teaching profession, experiences in teacher…

The literature shows clearly that rural administrators find it extremely difficult to locate and hire qualified teachers who fit in with the school and community and will stay in the job. The "ideal" rural teacher is certified to teach more than one subject or grade level, can teach students with a wide range of abilities in the same classroom, is…

The status of black staff and faculty at Kennesaw College, a predominantly white campus in Georgia, during 1976-1986 is discussed. Until 1981, very few blacks were employed at the college, black personnel turnover was high, and black faculty and staff had low morale. In 1981-1982, a new president sought to promote affirmative action and the…

A study, examining why some students in a credentials program chose not to become teachers, had three purposes: (1) to describe processes involved in becoming a "statistical dropout"; (2) to describe unsuccessful recruitment and socialization processes to improve the knowledge base and to understand where future interventions could be made; and…

Motivating aspects and stress factors of teaching were identified in a study of public school teachers in suburban New York (state) and New Jersey schools. Thirty percent (398) of the teachers contacted participated in the study, which consisted of a 65-item questionnaire, the Teacher Attitudes Survey, adapted from the Maslach Burnout Inventory.…

The major question addressed in a study of secondary school teachers was, to what degree do organizational incentives result in maintaining in the profession committed teachers whose primary satisfactions and reasons for persistence are related to students, curriculum, and classroom procedures? Interviews were conducted with 30 secondary school…

Social isolation, extreme weather conditions, inadequate housing, and low salaries often characterizing rural areas cause problems in recruiting and retaining special education personnel. Successful interviewers for rural districts must include four components in their recruitment strategies: the use of intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivators,…

Two hundred seventy-one graduates of 19 University of Massachusetts alternative teacher preparation programs rated these alternative programs on 48 variables. Questions on training, classroom teaching experience, program affiliation, and current employment status were included. The hypothesis that students who were enrolled in different teacher…

This report documents the extraordinary crisis facing Florida's public schools and provides evidence that Amendment 9--a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce class sizes--is a cost-effective and invaluable first step to rebuilding its troubled public schools. The report also sets the record straight about the long-term benefits of investing…

In early January 2003, "Education Week" released a new report on the status of teaching in the United States and concluded that many states are taking steps to recruit and retain skilled teachers, but few efforts focus on the schools where these teachers are needed most. Drawing upon a large national database, "Quality Counts…

One out of every two new teachers will quit teaching within five years; however, studies show that comprehensive induction programs can slash attrition rates in half and dramatically accelerate the professional development of new teachers. This book combines an overview of the current state of induction and mentoring with cutting-edge strategies…

This document provides information about teacher candidates completing programs in Maryland institutions of higher education and the hiring needs of local school systems. The report also outlines a number of important incentives and strategies for the recruitment and retention of quality teachers for Maryland public schools. The Maryland State…