Describes a novice teacher learning community (STEP+) formed though the multiyear collaboration among northern California teachers and two university researchers. (Contains 35 references.) (PKP)

Asserts that professional development for beginning teachers should begin with induction programs. Describes three exemplary beginning-teacher induction programs: Flowing Wells School District, Tucson, Arizona; Lafourche Parish Public Schools, Thibodaux, Louisiana; and Port Huron Area Schools, Port Huron, Michigan. (PKP)

Criticizes designated teacher mentorship ("mentee") programs as little more than collegial supervision. Advocates authentic mentorship, a voluntary, personal relationship between a beginning teacher and an experienced teacher. (PKP)

Reviews research on the characteristics and benefits of new-teacher mentoring programs. (PKP)

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) recommends that schools and teacher preparation programs provide new teachers of science with comprehensive induction programs. Research suggests these programs should address specifics for teachers of science, involve trained mentors, provide adequate time to support continual learning of new…

The purpose of this study was to compare two different formal mentoring relationships based on the perceptions of beginning teachers regarding their dyadic interactions. Kram's mentor role theory and Byrne's similarity-attraction paradigm served as the theoretical foundation for the study. The specific variables of interest included psychosocial…

Teachers are crucial to the success of students. Yet many of them are leaving their schools and the profession every year, particularly in poorer, lower-performing schools. Several studies have attempted to identify why teachers leave and how to stem their turnover, but few have identified the quality of teachers who are departing. As in any…

Purpose: Competent clinical teachers are essential for clinical teaching. According to the literature, coaching can contribute to improved levels of reflection and better performance of clinical teachers. By engaging in a dialogue about coachee's teaching behaviour, coaches can stimulate reflection of novice teachers. This study aims to gain…

This article discusses the importance of teacher induction not only for sustaining teacher retention and reducing attrition, but also for supporting beginning teachers, helping them develop professionally as they progress within the profession and enhancing effective teaching and learning. While acknowledging the importance of teacher induction,…

Where the continuing professional development (CPD) process is being increasingly articulated and circumscribed by policy and central specification, the initial year of teaching may significantly shape career-long expectations of CPD. This article contrasts the early experiences of beginning secondary teachers in Scotland and Hong Kong and the…

Nationally, the problem of teacher retention compounds the unstable nature of the educational situation, especially in urban, high-needs schools. Much of the instability of urban schools is due to teacher movement, the migration of teachers from school to another school within or between school districts, particularly from high-needs schools.…

Beginning teachers in the United States continue to exit the classroom in alarming numbers, despite numerous recruitment and retention strategies. High turnover rates negatively affect instruction and, ultimately, student achievement. The purpose of this empirical inquiry of beginning-teacher retention issues is to better understand what new…

This report describes the key design features of the new teacher support programs that emerged from the National Writing Project (NWP) New Teacher Initiative (NTI). As the New Teacher Initiative unfolded, a number of design features appeared frequently and consistently across the sites. This report explains how these design features of the NTI are…

Studied the contextual supervision (CS) model that has been developed and applied in several practicum settings and synthesized research findings on the effectiveness of CS in assisting faculty supervisors and cooperating teachers in mentoring preservice teachers. Findings show that the CS model has the potential to help supervisory personnel with…

Suggests having and induction ceremony for new teachers, and offers a creed for first-year teachers. (SR)