This paper describes the Beginning Teacher Survey Study's rationale, design, theoretical framework, research questions, and findings. The study was designed to: develop a survey that would gather information from beginning teachers about their preservice and induction learning experiences; develop theoretically and empirically based constructs of…

This book demonstrates how teachers and administrators can work collaboratively on maintaining continual growth, focusing on the Life Cycle of the Career Teacher Model, which crosses the continuum of practice from preservice preparation through professional development. Case studies illustrate the Reflection-Renewal-Growth Cycle Model in action.…

This handbook presents information and ideas to help beginning teachers in Wisconsin learn about their relationships with parents and communities. It includes four reproducible sections in a three-hole punched format. The first section, "Getting Started," includes an overview of how family-school-community partnerships improve student…

This paper describes the Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) program in Connecticut. In 1999, Connecticut became the first state in the United States to implement mandatory portfolio assessment as a component of its teacher certification program. The BEST program itself has been part of the state's educational reform initiatives for…

This publication offers orientation materials for new cooperating teachers at Millersville University, Pennsylvania. The materials consist of nine stations with questions that can be used in a workshop format to generate discussion or which can be answered in writing by a teacher who is working through these materials in a home-study program. Side…

This study examined the use of the Pathwise Performance Assessment as a framework for helping prospective mentors to view entry-year teachers' performance in accord with the research on novice teachers' performance. Participants were teachers, principals, and a central office administrator, most of whom had never conducted an observation of…

This telephone survey of Kentucky beginning teachers examined overall preparation; preparation for Kentucky's new teacher standards; preparation of teachers for Kentucky's instructional initiatives; influence of teacher preparation institutions on attitudes toward school reform; agreement with beliefs underlying Kentucky's Education Reform Act…

Describes the characteristics and procedures of an induction program for first year teachers. (DDR)

Connecticut's Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) program offers support and assessment for beginning teachers. This paper describes Connecticut's continuum of support, the portfolio assessment process, and the effect of high standards on preservice physical educator preparation, experienced teachers, and K-12 curriculum, instruction,…

Argues for the use of colleague mentors to increase retention rates among new teachers. Describes mentors' role as offering emotional support, suggestions about effective instruction, and information on the mores of the school community. Identifies characteristics of good mentors. Stresses the importance of shared decision making in teacher…

Discusses the Computer Mentor Program, a collaborative effort that developed and evaluated a model for staff development that fosters effective use of computers by beginning teachers. Evaluation indicated that both mentors and proteges developed increased knowledge of computer applications and that proteges made more extensive and varied use of…

Teachers for Chicago is a program that recruits, educates, and trains new teachers. The Chicago Public Schools pays for candidates to earn a master's degree in education at a participating college or university. Participants work as interns for two years under the tutelage of a mentor. A sidebar describes how rural districts aggressively recruit…

The California Mentor Teacher Program is unique among statewide mentor teacher initiatives in its size, longevity, stipends for mentor teachers, and the discretion it allows local education agencies. The shared perspectives of a mentor, a local administrator, and a state administrator trace the legislative and policy history of this program. (SLD)

This study investigated the impact of induction assistance on two beginning physical education teachers, one in grades K-2 and the other in a middle school. The teachers were observed, videotaped, and interviewed, and a case narrative was completed for each. Results indicated that continued supervision and feedback positively affected the…

This article identifies the social, political, and educational influences that have contributed to the popularity of formal teacher induction and mentor programs, noting advantages and disadvantages and offering support for an alternative approach to induction grounded in the conception of teaching as a moral, political, and intellectual…