The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether or not selected academic ability indices and personal characteristics of 117 teachers were associated with changes in their attitude toward their teaching as a career measured upon the commencement of training, the end of student teaching, and completion of their fifth year of…

This case study explored the socialization of four beginning teachers as they engaged in the pre-induction and induction years of professional training. The analysis provided information about what contributes to the development of beginning teachers as they participate in school communities engaged in inquiry, and as they grapple with issues of…

The Inland Empire (California) Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Project (IE-BTSA) is intended to develop and implement assessment strategies designed for beginning teachers. The IE-BTSA program includes three major assessments used throughout the beginning teachers' induction year: a classroom observation, a learning journal, and a teacher…

This paper describes the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Beginning Teacher Assistance Program. The program, operational since 1974, is collaborative, uniting the personnel and resources of the University, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and small to medium sized school districts. Beginning teachers are provided with a structured…

This monograph represents efforts of individuals committed to promoting increased ethnic and cultural diversity in the teaching profession. it is organized into four sections. Section 1, "An Overview," is followed by the second section, "Nature and Need," which includes the chapters: "Defining an Ethnically Diverse…

This article discusses preparing teachers to teach in rural Alaska. An anecdote illustrates how outsiders who come to work in rural Alaska get into trouble because they are unprepared for conditions unique to the North. These conditions end up being viewed as impediments rather than opportunities. The same is true for the field of education. Of…

This paper provides a rationale for the importance of new teacher induction. Data come from an examination of relevant studies and of local, national, and international induction practices. Successful induction practices (1) help new employees settle into their environment, (2) help them understand their responsibilities, and (3) ensure that the…

Teacher leaders often teach full- or part-time while assuming leadership responsibilities. Also, they have often learned new roles just by doing the tasks demanded by those roles. A more systematic approach to helping teachers develop the requisite skills for assuming leadership roles (e.g. department chairs, team and grade leaders, and curriculum…

This paper describes the impact on preservice teachers of an education course entitled "Teacher as Change Agent" which was inaugurated in 1991 at Union College (Schenectady, New York). The course represents a concerted effort to help beginning teachers bridge the gap between the real and ideal in public education without losing their…

This publication analyzes teacher education policy and practice with respect to teacher recruitment, induction, and continuing professional development with the intention of stimulating dialogue, debate, and collaboration among state agencies, state boards of education, teacher training institutions, legislators, and those involved in teacher…

Induction of beginning teachers has become a significant issue in education for several reasons: teacher retention, personal and psychological assistance to beginning teachers, assessment, reform, and academic curiosity. This study examined school district induction practices in the province of British Columbia (Canada). The objectives of the…

This study was conducted to examine changes in the self-perceived efficacy of teacher education majors who were surveyed first as student teachers in 1992 and again as first-year teachers in 1993. The instrument used was a survey of 30 items related to the Mississippi Teacher Assessment Instrument competencies and indicators. Thirteen of the…

As one of several efforts to address the low retention rates of beginning teachers in California schools, the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Project (BTSA) is providing support for new teachers along with a component that assesses their classroom competencies. The assessment component and planned evaluation studies are described. BTSA…

This volume is a definitive guide to what is known about the preparation of teachers, induction into the tasks of teaching, and career teacher development. It is designed for educators responsible for preservice teacher education and inservice staff development. The articles are organized in nine sections under the following heads: (1) Teacher…

This study examined the differences between Illinois beginning elementary and secondary teachers' perceptions of staff development activities and their sources of assistance during the first year. A survey in spring 1989 received responses from 601 elementary and 234 secondary teachers. Beginning elementary teachers rated the importance of staff…