The problem of attracting and retaining qualified teachers is defined; and the complicating factors, current research, and policy options and implications are outlined in this issue brief. Complicating factors cited range from increased employment opportunities for women and minorities outside the teaching profession to difficulty in objectively…

High teacher attrition in rural Alaska is abetted by stress induced by the culturally and environmentally differing milieus of the arctic and sub-arctic. Severe climatic conditions curtail traditional activities, and confined isolated settings place strain on personal relationships and heighten irritability, anxiety, and anger, often leading to…

These proceedings contain addresses and summaries of presentations made in concurrent sessions at the annual meeting. The addresses are: Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE)--Then and Now: What Our Past Has To Tell Us about Our Future" (Nelcamp and others); "A Conversation with Alex Haley" (Haley); "Luncheon Address of…

Traditionally, the teaching role has been one of nurturing and developing students' potential. However, teachers' work today comprises a complex mix of various factors that include teaching; learning new information and skills; keeping abreast of technological innovations and dealing with students, parents and the community. These are demanding…

THIS NOTE IS A CONTINUATION OF THE DISCUSSION PRESENTED IN EA 001 016. HERE, THE REMAINING INTRA-SYSTEM FLOWS (THE RETENTION OR TRANSFER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PRESENTLY IN THE SYSTEM) ARE DESCRIBED. IN ADDITION, EXTRA-SYSTEM FLOWS ARE DESCRIBED. PROBABILITY MATRICES ARE DEVELOPED BY COMBINING, BY SEX AND RACE, TWO OCCUPATION MATRICES WITH AGE…

Imagine someone telling you that, within three years, new teachers would leave the profession for which they trained so hard. That is what is happening to 30% of today's promising new teachers who are not given the mentoring, direction, and professional development that is so desperately needed to keep them focused and enthusiastic. To handle this…

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) designed an invitational conference "Preparing, Retaining and Supporting a High Quality Teacher Workforce" held in October 2005. It was convened at the Wingspread Conference Center and brought together presidents and chancellors from universities, state education officials, and…

This book examines what can be learned from veteran teachers who not only continue to teach but also manage to remain enthusiastic about it despite deprivation and challenges. Nine chapters are: (1) "Teaching as Evolution" (e.g., lessons learned along the way and the promise of multicultural education); (2) "Teaching as…

This analysis of data from the 1999-00 Schools and Staffing Survey examined the 50 states and District of Columbia on their progress toward improving teacher quality. States were evaluated on the extent to which they assessed teachers, whether they had less out-of-field teaching, and how they prepared and developed teachers. Results indicated that…

In 2001, Missouri's K-16 project launched the K-12 Task Force on Achievement Gap Elimination, which believes that improving teacher quality is the single most important factor in eliminating the achievement gap among Missouri students. This report describes the significance of teacher quality on student achievement, emphasizing the uneven…

This study examined the perceptions of Florida principals from failing high poverty/minority schools regarding accountability measures placed upon their schools by state legislation. Data collection included field notes, observations, and interviews regarding principals' impressions of the state's accountability system, how their role was…

This book is intended to help teacher preparation educators, building level leaders, staff developers, and teacher mentors address school-work patterns in five critical areas that may impact teacher attrition and retention. It supports a view of professional development that fosters the active involvement of teachers in customizing their own…

This study examined whether 540 teacher candidates who failed to or who successfully made the transition into teaching 7 years after commencement of teacher preparation differed in anxiety about teaching, attitude toward a teaching career, and self-perceived effectiveness as future teachers. At the beginning of teacher preparation in 1985,…

This analysis discusses ways to address the persistent challenge of ensuring that students who attend urban schools are taught by highly effective teachers. It presents a four-point strategic plan that includes: (1) increase the quantity and quality of people entering and returning to teaching in urban districts (precollegiate recruitment, higher…

A study examined the employment status of elementary, early childhood, and special education graduates from Chadron State College (Nebraska) for the academic years of 1996/97-2000/01 at 2 and 5 years after graduation. Surveys of 282 education graduates, most of whom were teaching in small towns and rural communities of their midwestern states of…