In many parts of the world, newly hired science teachers' practices are developing in a complex policy environment. However, little is known about how newly hired science teachers' practices are enacted throughout a cycle of instruction and how these practices can be influenced by macro-, meso-, and micro-policies. Knowing how policies impact…

This study explored the lived experiences of 20 Australian early childhood preservice teachers while on practical experience placement and examined the factors that informed their pedagogical experiences when working across both prior-to-school and school settings. Transcripts from interviews were analysed using grounded theory-informed…

If what is known about the work of teachers is overlaid across the information from the literature about the millennial generation, what comparisons can be made? What may be different with regard to providing millennial teachers the support and motivation they need for their work? How might employers tap in to that knowledge base in hiring,…

This dissertation explores the post-hoc programmatic outcomes and experiences of participants in a large scale, grant-funded professional development (PD) program. This PD was an immersive, two-year induction program designed to improve state testing scores in science, and support early career science educators as they transitioned into the…

During the first years of teaching, new special education teachers (SETs) face many unique challenges as they work to establish themselves as professionals. Upon entering the classroom on the first day of instruction, SETs are expected to be prepared, and they are presented with a daunting list of responsibilities and expectations, including the…

Given what we know about new teacher attrition--most teachers leave within their first five years in the field--specialized support during early years of teaching is critical. But should this support look different across different contexts and grade bands? What does supportive teacher education and induction look like for middle level educators…

This special report provides context and examples of new legislation impacting preparation, certification, induction, professional development, evaluation and compensation for leaders of schools and districts.

This paper makes the case for a shift in the policy strategy to improve K-12 education. It argues for investment in an infrastructure to develop the knowledge base on effective teaching and learning, and to prepare new teachers according to that knowledge base. As in medicine, the infrastructure would be located within practice settings, and…

Support for music teachers new to the profession is important and necessary. Some school districts use traditional mentor-mentee pairings as their primary support for novice music teachers; however, many factors in the professional lives of music teachers, such as traveling among multiple schools or a lack of subject-specific colleagues often…

Formal mentoring is the cornerstone of most teacher induction programs, but teachers receive support from informal mentors as well. The authors report on findings from a study of 57 first-year mathematics teachers in 11 school districts to describe who teachers' formal and informal mentors are, how teachers work with them, and how the functions of…

This article is a critical review of the literature on special education teacher attrition and retention. The research focused on journal articles from 2004 to present. The results of the study helped define special educator attrition and retention. The major themes present in the findings were job satisfaction, administrative support, induction…

This study examines the similarities and differences in perceptions of preservice and induction physical education teachers regarding their level of career preparedness and curricular preferences. Findings are based on interviews with 23 participants (12 preservice and 11 induction) from two Midwestern universities. Qualitative data from the…

This paper presents evidence from a nationally representative sample of early career teachers about those likely to miss out on formal support, and the employment conditions associated with this absence of support. It uses survey data from the Staff in Australia's Schools Survey. Consistent with existing research, our results suggest a…

Early career teachers often feel overwhelmed by the complex, intense and unpredictable nature of their work. Recently, policy initiatives have been introduced to provide new teachers with extra release-time from face-to-face classroom teaching duties to assist them in their transition to the workforce. This paper reports on a critical policy study…

Statewide teacher shortages are hindering Michigan's efforts to ensure that all students have equitable access to qualified teachers. Implementing teacher supports--which may be policies, practices, or programs--to increase teacher retention offers a way to alleviate shortages. This study identified supports implemented by local education agencies…