Teach For America (TFA) is an organization that aims to address educational inequity in part through a program of training and placing teachers in U.S. K-12 public schools that have the highest proportions of high-poverty students. In this report, the authors quantify the impacts of Teach For America Indianapolis (TFA Indy) on student and school…

Every person deserves the opportunity for dignified employment that provides living wages and potential for advancement. However, for many in America today, this is far from reality, as they are caught in a cycle of low-wage work, earning poverty wages, and unable to move up in the economy. Local leaders, firms, and workers need to adapt quickly…

Individuals make choices in, and adjust to, a world of work that is often a moving target. Because work is so central to human functioning, and transitions in and out of work can have major mental health repercussions, the authors argue that applied psychologists in health services need to understand those transitions. This article focuses on the…

In 2007, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, with support from the Lehman Brothers Foundation, commissioned Public Agenda to explore interest in teaching careers among high-achieving college students, recent graduates, and potential career changers. MetLife Foundation, specifically interested in potential career changers as…

In 2007, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation launched a new teaching fellowship designed to recruit and prepare a new generation of top teacher talent for the nation's schools. Aimed at both traditional-age "and" midcareer candidates, the initiative offers $30,000 Fellowships to individuals with strong records of academic…

A random sample of 559 secondary small school principals in Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas revealed that 73 percent of the principals were actively seeking new positions or were leaving school administration. The findings have implications for selection procedures, salary/fringe benefit packages, principal autonomy, evaluation…

When possible, college presidents should be encouraged to retire undefeated rather than making the presidency a career. When circumstances indicate that the time has come for a change in administration, a thoughtful board of trustees will seek ways to make such a transition graceful. (MSE)

This report presents data obtained from a survey of District of Columbia public school teachers who would become eligible for retirement in school years 1986 through 1991. Findings indicate that well over one-third of the respondents plan to retire when first eligible at the age of 55, while 30 percent plan to delay retirement. If the remaining 29…

The federal government must undertake action to direct and speed the transitions of dislocated workers to new employment. Dislocated workers comprise only 1 or 2 percent of the nation's 11 million currently unemployed workers. Cyclical macroeconomic factors are responsible for the high unemployment rate, not structural factors such as new…

A survey of 314 male and female faculty in criminology and sociology found that faculty women are more likely than men to leave academic positions, and women who interrupt careers commonly do so for a job-seeking spouse. Women experience significant losses in tenure and earnings as a result of career disruptions. (MSE)

A report is given of a 1987 survey of teachers in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). Data were obtained from 580 full-time classroom teachers in three elementary schools, two junior high schools, and one senior high school. The focus of the survey was on teacher attrition rates and turnover. Results indicated a high percentage of…

Over the past decade, the high number of teachers leaving the profession has been a growing concern among parents, teacher educators, administrators, and policy-makers. While most argue the problem is due to a burgeoning demand and increased numbers of retirements, some researchers propose that the problem of teacher shortages is far more complex.…

A questionnaire and interviews were used to assess personal and professional characteristics of 97 Canadian college faculty reaching age 65 in 2000-2010. It measured career satisfaction, interest in a career alternatives program, and retirement plans. A significant proportion of respondents found little satisfaction in academe and would consider a…

During 1986-87, the Dallas (Texas) Independent School District (DISD) conducted an alternative certification program. This report evaluates the program. The introductory section defines alternative certification (any significant departure from the traditional undergraduate route through teacher education in universities and colleges) and explores…

Reviews developmental stages in older adults, particularly disillusionment and individuation, and their effects on career and family. Knowledge of these changes is useful in developing motivational tools for adults who work in schools. (BJV)