This study explored the importance of the support component in induction programs to assist beginning teachers in the move through the stages of the socialization process. The study was a dimension of a larger comparative analysis of three exemplary induction programs. Exemplary programs were discovered by letters sent to leading induction…

This paper examines teacher education issues in Northern and Southern Ireland, setting the scene for an invitational conference for teacher education professionals. It begins by discussing such key issues as the desire to: contribute, help set the scene, help set the scene for teacher education professionals, and help set the scene for teacher…

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…

In 2000, the Finance Project received a planning grant to launch a new initiative on financing professional development in education. This report represents efforts to identify and develop a database on promising new approaches to professional development in education, profiling 16 initiatives recommended by knowledge experts and representing a…

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…

This qualitative case study identified how various conditions supported one voluntary novice teacher learning community called STEP+. Participants were all graduates of Stanford University's teacher education program (STEP), a fifth-year, combined master's and credential program. STEP+ teachers convened for as many as 5 years away from their…

This report summarizes the policy framework for operating the California Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program and interprets information from a statewide evaluation survey of all beginning teachers, support providers, and school site administrators in 34 local BTSA projects. It reviews 3 years of data, emphasizing spring 1998.…

This report provides an overview of Triton College's (Illinois) New Faculty Orientation Plan, which was developed in light of the large number of retirements and new hires expected by the year 2000. The purpose of the plan is to assist newly hired instructors to move productively into their professional roles and to become actively involved in the…

This journal examines promising approaches to supporting beginning teachers. It contains the following articles: "Facing the Future" (Suzie Boss), which discusses meeting the need for qualified teachers by using fresh ideas such as better support for novices and more training for mentors; "Building a Teacher's 'Repertoire' Takes…

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…

Discusses the unique challenges of the first year of teaching. Challenges include over enrollment, long hours, and overload of paperwork. Gives advice on how new teachers can overcome problems by creating alliances within the spiritual community, working with administrators, and taking care of their health. (MZ)

Examines the induction of two middle school science teachers as partners in a job sharing arrangement in lieu of student teaching, describing how they worked together and supported each other's attempts to implement student-centered practices and likening their mutual support to a marriage partnerships. The two teachers mentored each other through…

Texas has responded to its teacher shortage with a program for support and renewal. Its new teacher induction pilot is based on a set of performance standards that define expectations for beginning teachers. The pilot provides a support team of mentors, principals, and teacher educators that helps new teachers collect data and assess their skills…

Examines collaborative teacher induction programs involving higher education institutions and local education agencies, focusing on the California experience. Four themes include the importance of multiple support or a triad model of support, unique opportunities offered by Professional Development Schools, the role of teacher educators in…