A considerable body of research has suggested that without appropriate supports and learning opportunities on the job, beginning teachers are unlikely to develop effective instructional practices and find success. Informal supports, such as teachers' advice networks, have received less attention in research and policy yet can serve as substantial…

Throughout the history of California's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program, new teachers have reported experiencing substantial tension between the curricular and programmatic demands arising from their induction programs' formative assessment systems and the immediate coaching help they need to deal with day-to-day classroom…

This study explores the role that participating in a critical inquiry project (CIP) played on the development of new educators who aspire to teach from a social justice perspective. The study also examines how relationships between the first- and second-year teacher participants shaped their development as social justice educators, learners, and…

Action research, also called classroom or teacher research, has been defined as "systematic, intentional inquiry by teachers". Action research encourages school personnel to systematically develop a question, gather data, and then analyze that data to improve their practice. Over the last 15 years, the complexities of using action…

This article reports the results of a case study about elementary school teachers' induction experiences. Four teachers began the three-year study, but only two remained in the profession after their second year. This development was consistent with estimates that 40-50% of novices leave the profession within five years. Bandura's (1977) construct…

The College of Teacher Education and Leadership (CTEL) at Arizona State University (ASU) embraced the opportunity to partner with Teach For America (TFA) to tailor existing teacher preparation programs to meet the unique needs of alternatively certified teachers in urban schools. Rather than harp on the distinctions between ideologies and…

Developing and retaining highly qualified teachers are central elements in efforts to improve teaching and learning in the United States. As part of these efforts, higher education institutions are beginning to design comprehensive induction programs for their graduates. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of a conceptual…

Despite the growing appreciation among professional educators, teachers unions, school districts, and university researchers of the need for effective school-based mentors, many new teachers still report a "sink or swim" experience as they enter the profession. Not surprisingly, about one third of new teachers in the United States leave…

Discusses the importance of quality beginning teacher induction programs to both teachers and students, listing several essential components of quality induction programs, including: program vision; institutional commitment and support; quality mentoring; professional standards; and classroom-based teacher learning. The article looks at teacher…

This study explores some common assumptions and issues related to experienced teacher mentoring of new teachers. Five mentors from Marin County (California) high and elementary schools were interviewed about: successes, nonsuccesses, support and training for mentors, suggestions for new mentors, and guidelines for setting up a mentor program. (IAH)

The article (1) explains the Model of Complexity Reduction that describes shifts in learning to teach, (2) examines two patterns of learning to teach (focused on management and subjects or focused on students), (3) applies the patterns to two cases, and (4) presents implications for teacher development and education. (SM)

Describes a nexus between teacher education, teacher education research, and state policy, tracing the past dozen years of efforts designed to both support and retain California teachers in their early years; highlighting the California New Teacher Project and the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program; and noting the rapid expansion in…

Examines California's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program, which facilitates cooperative work between a university, county education offices, and school districts. Teacher portfolios assessed program components. Program participants completed surveys examining support strategies for effectiveness. All participants (new teachers,…

One way to develop well-qualified future teachers is to utilize the pool of exemplary veteran teachers. Teachers who can balance high expectations with competent, caring attitudes that prevent alienation of students have much to offer their colleagues. Higher educators can provide the scaffolding to support veteran teachers in public schools so…

Reports the essential findings of one phase of the assessment studies conducted during the California New Teacher Project, suggesting some implications from that study for the impending reform efforts. The paper concludes that California lacks a coherent, rigorous system of assessments guided by a clearly defined set of performance expectations.…