Given issues in education concerning teacher shortages, the omnipresence of alternative certification programs and the growth of online programs in higher education, this study investigated teacher retention for 77 secondary education teachers who completed an online teacher preparation program in Texas. Teacher retention was examined from 2003-2013 and investigated the influence of factors such personal characteristics, working conditions and school setting characteristics on teacher retention. Data was collected electronically utilizing a survey instrument designed by two teacher education experts and I. A total of 21 variables and two open-ended questions were investigated using the survey instrument. Exploratory factor and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify a multi-factor model for teacher retention utilizing the participants' survey responses. These analyses yielded evidence of the program's effectiveness in preparing teachers for long careers. Specifically, the areas of program support, field experience, and classroom management were statistically significant factors that contributed positively to teacher retention. Additionally, variables outside the program, were examined. These factors included personal characteristics, working conditions, and school setting factors. The predictor model accounted for 56% of the variance; F (17, 54) = 3.015; p = < 0.001. In particular, working conditions contributed to 41% of the variance associated with the teacher retention model. A qualitative analysis of open-ended survey questions was used to further examine decisions to remain in teaching. Support of administration, colleagues, staff, and parents was shown to influence teacher retention.

The NYC Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) program, as the nation’s largest alternative certification program, aims to provide high-needs NYC public schools with highly qualified teachers in such hard-to-staff areas as math, science, and special education. Reports of NYCTF teacher retention are mixed; The New Teacher Project (TNTP) claims high retention rates, but other research indicates that fellow recruits have lower retention rates than other teachers in similar NYC schools – only Teach for America (TFA) exhibits higher attrition (Boyd et al., 2006). After scrutinizing these contrary claims, this paper examines the retention of a recent cohort of approximately 300 Mathematics Teaching Fellows (MTFs) in the NYCTF program, examining MTF’s early attrition, movements from school to school in the NYC system, and professional plans for the future. We also include findings on teacher induction, school leadership, and school context that affect MTF retention.

The NYC Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) program, as the nation’s largest alternative certification program, aims to provide high-needs NYC public schools with highly qualified teachers in such hard-to-staff areas as math, science, and special education. Reports of NYCTF teacher retention are mixed; The New Teacher Project (TNTP) claims high retention rates, but other research indicates that fellow recruits have lower retention rates than other teachers in similar NYC schools – only Teach for America (TFA) exhibits higher attrition (Boyd et al., 2006). After scrutinizing these contrary claims, this paper examines the retention of a recent cohort of approximately 300 Mathematics Teaching Fellows (MTFs) in the NYCTF program, examining MTF’s early attrition, movements from school to school in the NYC system, and professional plans for the future. We also include findings on teacher induction, school leadership, and school context that affect MTF retention.

As administrators start to hire more alternative certified teachers in Texas who pursue a career in K–12 education, it becomes important to understand the impact this experience has on teacher quality. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore administrators' beliefs and experiences when hiring alternative certified teachers. The primary research question was: What are alternative certified teachers' strengths? The additional questions of the study were: What are alternative certified teachers' weaknesses? Are administrators satisfied with the alternative certified teachers' performance? This study was conceptually framed within the theory of instruction. Participants in the study were seven secondary administrators in a Texas urban school district. Data were collected through seven qualitative surveys, semi-structured interviews, and short narrative inquiry responses. Data were analyzed through a thematic analysis. The results of this study provide insights into the experiences secondary administrators face when hiring alternative certified teachers. This study contributes to the growing research in the area of alternative certified teachers, specifically by secondary administrators who hire them to be a high-quality teacher in the field of education.