The purpose of the study was to: (a) determine to what extent the formalized teacher induction programs (TIPs) in Shanghai are perceived to be helpful for first-year public primary school teachers; (b) measure teacher self-efficacy and anticipated job retention of first-year teachers in Shanghai public primary schools; and (c) examine the degree to which these perceptions of helpfulness, teacher self-efficacy, and anticipated job retention are associated. In this study, retention is defined as remaining in a public primary school in Shanghai. Shanghai TIPs are one-year long, mandatory programs for first-year teachers in Shanghai public primary schools. The conceptual framework of TIPs includes four main components (orientation, mentoring, professional development, and teacher evaluations) as found in Horn, Sterling, and Subhan’s (2002) high-quality teacher induction program component model. An on-line survey was completed by 408 participants who held a bachelor’s degree or higher along with a teaching credential and who were within their first year of teaching in a public primary school located in Shanghai. They provided their demographic information and responded to items on a perception of TIP helpfulness scale (on orientation, mentoring, professional development, and teacher evaluations), the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES-SF; for student engagement, for instructional strategies, and for classroom management), and an anticipated first-year teacher retention scale. Results of the study include: (1) Overall, Shanghai public primary school teachers perceived the level of TIP helpfulness to be relatively high; however, the levels of helpfulness varied across the four components (orientation, mentoring, professional development, and teacher evaluation); (2) Teacher self-efficacy regarding instructional strategies was reported to be higher than efficacy regarding classroom management and student engagement; (3) The majority of first-year teachers expressed agreement with plans to stay in the same position; (4) Perceptions regarding TIP helpfulness, overall, were not found to significantly correlate with teacher self-efficacy, overall; (5) To a limited extent (r= -.142, p < .01) self-efficacy scores negatively correlate with anticipated retention such that those expressing higher levels of teacher self-efficacy are those with lower anticipated teacher retention (as a public primary school teacher in Shanghai) scores, whereas a positive association was hypothesized; (6) The perception of overall TIP helpfulness was a statistically significant predictor of anticipated teacher retention; and (7) There is insufficient evidence to suggest that teacher self-efficacy mediates the effect of Shanghai TIP helpfulness, overall, on anticipated teacher retention. Additional findings, explanations, implications, and suggestions for future research are also discussed for Shanghai public schools.

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The focus of this study was to investigate the experiences of novice teachers of induction in three selected schools in Oshana region, Namibia. The point of departure is that the experiences of novice teachers of induction and support are not known. The problem was investigated by means of a literature study and empirical investigation, using a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Findings revealed that novice teachers do not have the same needs and do not have similar experiences of support. Key findings reveal that novice teachers’ problems can be solved better if support is given timeously and over a longer period, with all the stakeholders’ equal involvement in the induction process. Novice teachers are capable of making meaningful contributions to schools, and schools can benefit from them. The study recommends that novice teachers’ voices be heard and their views be incorporated when planning future induction programmes, to suit their individual and contextual needs. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The body of literature clearly articulates the unique needs of newly qualified teachers and the challenges they experience during their early career years. In addition, literature advocates for implementation of induction programmes to enable a smooth transition of the beginners into the profession. This empirical phenomenological study explored the induction experiences of newly qualified primary school teachers in Zimbabwe in an attempt to gain insights into the everyday issues they contend with. Purposive sampling was employed to select twenty participants who comprised of ten newly qualified teachers, five beginners whose experience in the field ranged from one to three years and five mentors. Data were collected mainly through three semi-structured interviews with newly qualified teachers and mentors, reflective essays written by beginners who were not so new in the profession and a focus group discussion with selected beginners. The protocol used for data explication was a simplified version of Hycner’s (1985) framework for phenomenological analysis suggested by Groenewald (2004). The findings yielded six themes and revealed that: new teachers experienced adaptation challenges relating to forging of new relationships, location of schools and nature of host communities; induction was largely informal and incidental, and the induction supports experienced by the new teachers were limited; the beginners had various teaching and social concerns that needed to be addressed; and, while the new teachers had derived some lessons from their first year of teaching, these were outweighed by their concerns and might not have made a significant impact on their classroom practices. The data also revealed that the partnership between teacher education institutions and schools in providing for teacher professional development was weak. The study concluded that the absence of a policy on induction in the country has resulted in lack of appreciation of the centrality of induction on the teacher development continuum and the haphazard manner in which issues of induction are being handled. The main recommendations from the study were that a policy on induction should be put in place, that schools are empowered to provide induction and induction supports that are amenable to the country’s context be fully exploited. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Entre 15% et 20% des enseignants du Québec abandonnent la profession avant d’atteindre cinq années d’expérience (Martel et Ouellette, 2003). Les difficultés rencontrées peuvent perturber leur insertion et freiner le développement de leur identité professionnelle (Baillauquès et Breuse, 1993). Pour les soutenir, des commissions scolaires offrent des mesures parmi lesquelles le mentorat est privilégié. La recherche visait à mieux comprendre le mentorat en enseignement pour en identifier des caractéristiques favorables au développement de l’identité professionnelle des enseignants débutants. Les deux concepts sont mis en relation, s’appuyant sur les travaux de Houde (1995) et de Gohier, Anadón, Bouchard, Charbonneau et Chevrier (2001). Les aspects retenus pour l’analyse sont : les caractéristiques de la relation mentorale, les fonctions du mentor et le développement des sentiments de compétence, de reconnaissance et d’appartenance à la profession. Cinq entrevues semi-dirigées ont été menées auprès d’enseignantes débutantes du primaire de la région de Montréal ayant vécu une relation mentorale d’un an. Les données ont été traitées qualitativement. Les résultats montrent que, selon les participantes, le mentorat peut favoriser le développement du sentiment de compétence. Toutefois, les sentiments de reconnaissance et d’appartenance sont attribuables à l’expérience et la sociabilité. Un portrait du mentor et des conditions de réussite de la relation mentorale sont aussi présentés. Le fait que seules des mentorées du primaire aient été interrogées constitue une limite. La généralisation est impossible, mais les résultats peuvent servir à d’autres études sur l’identité professionnelle ainsi qu’au développement de programmes d’insertion professionnelle et à la formation de mentors. / Between 15% and 20% of Québec teachers abandon the profession before reaching five years of practice (Martel & Ouellette, 2003). The difficulties encountered can disturb their integration and slow down the development of their professional identity (Baillauquès & Breuse, 1993). Some school boards offer supportive measures, in which mentoring is one of the most popular forms. The goal of our research was to gain a better understanding of the teacher mentoring relationship and identify which of its characteristics are favourable to the development of beginning teachers’ professional identity. The two concepts are related based on the works of Houde (1995) and of Gohier, Anadón, Bouchard, Charbonneau, & Chevrier (2001). Our analysis focused on the characteristics of the mentoring relationship, the mentor’s functions, and the development of the beginning teacher’s senses of self-efficiency, recognition, and belonging to the profession. Five interviews were conducted with novice elementary teachers from the Montréal area having experienced a mentor relationship lasting one year. The data was analysed qualitatively. The results show that the participants perceive mentoring to be favourable to the development of the feeling of self-efficiency. However, feelings of recognition and belonging to the profession are attributed to experience and sociability. A portrait of the mentor and some conditions for the success of the relation are also exposed. The fact that only elementary-level mentees have been interviewed presents a limitation. Any generalization is impossible but the results can serve for other studies about professional identity or for the development of teacher induction and mentor training programs.

The body of literature clearly articulates the unique needs of newly qualified teachers and the challenges they experience during their early career years. In addition, literature advocates for implementation of induction programmes to enable a smooth transition of the beginners into the profession. This empirical phenomenological study explored the induction experiences of newly qualified primary school teachers in Zimbabwe in an attempt to gain insights into the everyday issues they contend with. Purposive sampling was employed to select twenty participants who comprised of ten newly qualified teachers, five beginners whose experience in the field ranged from one to three years and five mentors. Data were collected mainly through three semi-structured interviews with newly qualified teachers and mentors, reflective essays written by beginners who were not so new in the profession and a focus group discussion with selected beginners. The protocol used for data explication was a simplified version of Hycner’s (1985) framework for phenomenological analysis suggested by Groenewald (2004). The findings yielded six themes and revealed that: new teachers experienced adaptation challenges relating to forging of new relationships, location of schools and nature of host communities; induction was largely informal and incidental, and the induction supports experienced by the new teachers were limited; the beginners had various teaching and social concerns that needed to be addressed; and, while the new teachers had derived some lessons from their first year of teaching, these were outweighed by their concerns and might not have made a significant impact on their classroom practices. The data also revealed that the partnership between teacher education institutions and schools in providing for teacher professional development was weak. The study concluded that the absence of a policy on induction in the country has resulted in lack of appreciation of the centrality of induction on the teacher development continuum and the haphazard manner in which issues of induction are being handled. The main recommendations from the study were that a policy on induction should be put in place, that schools are empowered to provide induction and induction supports that are amenable to the country’s context be fully exploited. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Given the complexity of education today, becoming a teacher is not an easy task. In this context, professional development plays an essential role in order to maintain and improve both personal and professional skills (Friedman and Philips, 2001). It also represents an opportunity to react at educational dilemmas which frequently appear in the early years of teaching. In Catalunya, since the 2006 -2007 course, the Department of Education applies the induction program called Comencem Bé, addressed to substitute teachers during their first school year. Its objective is to help novice teachers to develop their profession. The theoretical framework states the concept and models of professional development, focusing on mentoring and induction programmes which enrich the teaching strategies of beginning teachers. Then, the practical framework consists of a research project about the teachers’ experience while mentoring at schools in Catalunya, which gives the approach of all the people involved in the programme / Davant la complexitat del context educatiu actual el repte d'iniciar-se en la professió docent no és fàcil. En aquest context, el desenvolupament professional esdevé un component essencial per mantenir i millorar les habilitats personals i professionals (Friedman i Philips, 2001) i una oportunitat per donar resposta als dilemes que s'accentuen en els primers anys d’exercici docent. A Catalunya, des del curs 2006-2007 s'aplica el programa d'inserció professional Comencem Bé, que té com objectiu ajudar el docent novell a desenvolupar la seva professió. En el marc teòric es concreta el concepte i models de desenvolupament professional centrant-se en el mentoring i els programes d'inducció a la docència. En el marc pràctic es presenta una investigació sobre el procés de tutoria del primer any d'experiència docent en centres de Catalunya, que aporta la percepció dels quatre agents que participen al programa: interins, tutors, inspecció educativa i equips directius

Entre 15% et 20% des enseignants du Québec abandonnent la profession avant d’atteindre cinq années d’expérience (Martel et Ouellette, 2003). Les difficultés rencontrées peuvent perturber leur insertion et freiner le développement de leur identité professionnelle (Baillauquès et Breuse, 1993). Pour les soutenir, des commissions scolaires offrent des mesures parmi lesquelles le mentorat est privilégié. La recherche visait à mieux comprendre le mentorat en enseignement pour en identifier des caractéristiques favorables au développement de l’identité professionnelle des enseignants débutants. Les deux concepts sont mis en relation, s’appuyant sur les travaux de Houde (1995) et de Gohier, Anadón, Bouchard, Charbonneau et Chevrier (2001). Les aspects retenus pour l’analyse sont : les caractéristiques de la relation mentorale, les fonctions du mentor et le développement des sentiments de compétence, de reconnaissance et d’appartenance à la profession. Cinq entrevues semi-dirigées ont été menées auprès d’enseignantes débutantes du primaire de la région de Montréal ayant vécu une relation mentorale d’un an. Les données ont été traitées qualitativement. Les résultats montrent que, selon les participantes, le mentorat peut favoriser le développement du sentiment de compétence. Toutefois, les sentiments de reconnaissance et d’appartenance sont attribuables à l’expérience et la sociabilité. Un portrait du mentor et des conditions de réussite de la relation mentorale sont aussi présentés. Le fait que seules des mentorées du primaire aient été interrogées constitue une limite. La généralisation est impossible, mais les résultats peuvent servir à d’autres études sur l’identité professionnelle ainsi qu’au développement de programmes d’insertion professionnelle et à la formation de mentors. / Between 15% and 20% of Québec teachers abandon the profession before reaching five years of practice (Martel & Ouellette, 2003). The difficulties encountered can disturb their integration and slow down the development of their professional identity (Baillauquès & Breuse, 1993). Some school boards offer supportive measures, in which mentoring is one of the most popular forms. The goal of our research was to gain a better understanding of the teacher mentoring relationship and identify which of its characteristics are favourable to the development of beginning teachers’ professional identity. The two concepts are related based on the works of Houde (1995) and of Gohier, Anadón, Bouchard, Charbonneau, & Chevrier (2001). Our analysis focused on the characteristics of the mentoring relationship, the mentor’s functions, and the development of the beginning teacher’s senses of self-efficiency, recognition, and belonging to the profession. Five interviews were conducted with novice elementary teachers from the Montréal area having experienced a mentor relationship lasting one year. The data was analysed qualitatively. The results show that the participants perceive mentoring to be favourable to the development of the feeling of self-efficiency. However, feelings of recognition and belonging to the profession are attributed to experience and sociability. A portrait of the mentor and some conditions for the success of the relation are also exposed. The fact that only elementary-level mentees have been interviewed presents a limitation. Any generalization is impossible but the results can serve for other studies about professional identity or for the development of teacher induction and mentor training programs.

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 focus of this study was to investigate the experiences of novice teachers of induction in three selected schools in Oshana region, Namibia. The point of departure is that the experiences of novice teachers of induction and support are not known. The problem was investigated by means of a literature study and empirical investigation, using a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Findings revealed that novice teachers do not have the same needs and do not have similar experiences of support. Key findings reveal that novice teachers’ problems can be solved better if support is given timeously and over a longer period, with all the stakeholders’ equal involvement in the induction process. Novice teachers are capable of making meaningful contributions to schools, and schools can benefit from them. The study recommends that novice teachers’ voices be heard and their views be incorporated when planning future induction programmes, to suit their individual and contextual needs. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)