In their efforts to make the selection and hiring process more efficient, school administrators utilize teacher selection instruments such as the Web-based TeacherInsight™ assessment tool (The Gallup Organization, Princeton, NJ). Tools such as these instruments are now used regularly by school systems across the nation to assess teachers regarding their knowledge, talents, skills, attitudes, and values. According to Gallup, the TeacherInsight is a predictor of teacher talent and is based on 12 themes. This study utilized 132 elementary and secondary teachers and approximately 4,500 students currently enrolled in Grades 3 through 11 to determine if the TeacherInsight is a predictor of student achievement. This study considered: (1) the relationship between the TeacherInsight and student achievement as measured by the Texas Growth Index (TGI); (2) the relationship between teacher characteristics (years of experience, level [primary or secondary], gender, age, degree) and the TeacherInsight instrument; (3) the relationship between teacher characteristics (years of experience, level [primary or secondary], gender, age, degree) and student achievement as measured by the TGI; and (4) the relationship between student classifications (limited English proficient, economically disadvantaged, at-risk) and student achievement as measured by the TGI. The analyses found a very weak positive relationship between the TeacherInsight and student achievement using the TGI in the subjects of English/ reading and math. Additional analysis based on levels (primary and secondary) between TeacherInsight scores and TGI values were not significant. Teacher characteristics were poor predictors of scores on the TeacherInsight. Of the characteristics, years of teaching experience was the strongest predictor of scores on the TeacherInsight. Although the overall analyses indicated significant relationships, they were very weak for both English/reading and math. Teacher characteristics were also poor predictors of student achievement. Again, the overall analysis indicated a significant but weak relationship for both English/reading and math. When considering the relationship between student classifications of LEP, economically disadvantaged, and at-risk, only at-risk had a weak relationship to student achievement. The findings provide little support to the validity of TeacherInsight in terms of its ability to predict student achievement scores and its usefulness as a tool for the selection of teachers by school systems. Until more extensive research is completed on the TeacherInsight and its impact on student achievement, no definitive answers for school systems can be made. Suggestions and recommendations for future studies are provided in the discussion section.

This research study was undertaken to add a new dimension to studies concerned with the relationship between the National Teacher Examinations and teaching success. Since the National Teacher Examinations have become such a widely used measure in the teacher certification process, and particularly because of the apparent movement toward the adoption of the National Teacher Examinations as part of the teacher certification process in the State of Texas, it was desirable to investigate their value as an instrument for the prediction of success in teaching.

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is that of achieving reliability of administrative judgment in the selection of beginning teachers. This study has a threefold purpose. The first is to determine the type and extent of investigation necessary to achieve reliability of judgment in the ratings of teacher applicants. The second is to investigate the feasibility of a Regional Education Service Center's providing personnel selection services to independent school districts. The final purpose is to develop recommendations relating to reliability in teacher selection.

Given the historically repressive and racist legislation and practices of a white supremacist government, and notwithstanding the subsequent advent of a new democratic state, this thesis argues that the desegregation of teachers is unlikely to unfold in accordance with the conceived ideals and expectations of the Constitution of South Africa. It is further contended that while teacher desegregation has occurred to a limited extent, it has not contributed substantially to the realization of non-racialism. Set against the backdrop of the values framework espoused in the Constitution, this study is located in KwaZulu-Natal, one of the nine provinces that constitute South Africa. Taking into account the 'layered' nature of social reality, and using a humanistic sociological approach, which is characterised by an emphasis on the human being as the central focus, this study combines both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The first layer of the study comprises of a feasibility study which aims to ascertain the extent to which teacher desegregation has occurred in KwaZulu-Natal as well as to assess the experiences of a convenience sample of teachers who have moved to schools that were historically not designated to their race group. This layer of the study is exploratory and succeeds in providing the contour of the data and indicated the need for an extended, in-depth study. The feasibility study is followed by the second layer of study which serves the purpose of discovery and which comprises of an analysis of how teachers defIne, understand and manage desegregation. The subsequent layer is an intensifIcation of the data and interrogates the experiences of teachers who are currently employed at schools that were historically inaccessible places of employment. Driven by a strongly Lefebvrean theoretical perspective on space, the data is analysed taking into consideration the conception of space that prevails today in the country as opposed to the spatial practices and representation of space of the historical past which were determined largely by legislation such as the Group Areas Act and the Population Registration Act, both of which territorially divided the country and marked bodies in terms of race thereby contributing to the inextricable intertwining of race and space. It is suggested that while some progress has been made in respect of racial desegregation and integration, the enduring effects of history which are inscribed in space persist nonetheless. This is evident from the experiences of alienation, marginalisation, displacement, territorialism, resegregation as well as a sense of violation of space which are described by the participants. In addition, obstacles to desegregation are factors such as a fear of crime, inaccessibility of schools, racism and the challenges posed by language. Ideas for further research in respect of teacher desegregation in other provinces of the country as well as issues of teacher identity in desegregated spaces are suggested and the possible use of a spatial perspective in other studies is encouraged. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

The appointment and selection of the Head of Department (HOD) is the most important task that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and Culture (KZNEDC) and the School Governing Body (SGB) must undertake. It is the task of the KZNEDC to encourage the best people to apply for the HOD post from whom the SGB can select the best candidate for the job. Yet, from time to time, the newspapers report on the selection of HODs that has been disputed. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the selection and appointment of educators to the position of Head of Department in three primary schools in the KwaNdengezi Circuit of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and Culture. The main focus was to explore the views of the principals and educators in these primary schools. The study probes the opinions of the primary school principals and educators regarding the selection procedures used in primary schools. It also seeks their opinions why the process was disputed in some instances. The study starts by analysing the selection procedures for the appointment of educators to the post, Head of Department, in the primary schools in the KwaNdengezi Circuit in KwaZulu- Natal. In finding out the views of the principals and of the educators, a survey was conducted in three primary schools in the KwaNdengezi Circuit. A questionnaire was administered. The study has found that there are selection procedures provided by the National Department of Education. These selection procedures are not properly followed, thus disputes were declared in some instances. On the basis of this exploration, suggestions were rendered on how the selection and appointment process could be improved in the future. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, 2003.

This study examined the promotion policy of school-based educators and the manner in which it has been implemented in the Pinetown district of KwaZulu-Natal. Given the inordinately large number of disputes that have been declared since the inception of this policy in 1997 and the constant adverse publicity it has attracted in the media, the researcher sought to explore whether implementation of the promotion the policy is in keeping with national and provincial legislation. Given also that both provincial (Human Resource Management Circulars) and national (Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998, The South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, etc) legislation exist to guide the process, the researcher sought to examine the reasons for the apparent gap between formulation and practice. Using policy and policy analysis as the theoretical framework, the researcher explored the notion that policy tools model (authority, incentive, capacity, symbolic and learning) could be utilized both to understand and implement this process effectively. Although essentially qualitative in nature, the researcher utilized the survey questionnaire (secondary method) to elicit the views and perceptions of a wider range of role-players to inform the more intensive case study (primary method). The findings indicate great disillusionment on the part of the educator and parent establishment with a policy whose implementation is fraught with problems. Selectors in attaching personal meanings to the implementation process have deviated from the principles enunciated in the policy. To counter this, the researcher suggests that the policy tools model be utilized to further inform the process and that policy be viewed as an interactive, consultative process i.e. a cyclic model. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The aim of the study was to assess the needs for teacher induction programme in Sebokeng schools. Induction of the beginning teachers is regarded by many scholars as an effective mechanism of human resources management and development. The relevant literature review attempted to legitimize the assertion ''that teachers don't perform maximally because they are not inducted" by providing sufficient logical and empirical support along the way. The instrumentation and how the respondents responded, further accentuates the fact that beginning teachers are exposed to the hit and miss syndrome. "An ineffective teacher can cause problems for many; while an effective teacher can be a goodwill ambassador ". The research therefore suggests that beginning teachers be helped to get off to a good start. "A good experience during the first year or two in the profession can build a foundation for a solid commitment to teaching. A bad experience can set the stage for a hasty exit from teaching ". Good teachers are scarce in the best of times, but they may become even harder to find in the years ahead. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1996.

The aim of the research is about the evaluation of the management of the selection for educators at a primary school in the North West, Klerksdorp District and to consider theoretical and practical implications. Questionnaires were used as the main measuring instrument. The findings of the research revealed that some of the role players lack necessary skills and expertise to be part of the selection process. Policy implications were found to have an effect on the process. Nepotism, poor communication, selection of correct candidates, roles played by different role players, information dissemination during the process, effectiveness of the selection process, lack of preparations before the selection process begin and composition of the selection panel, were found to be present. The conclusions from the findings indicated that, selection should be considered as a serious process and stakeholders should ensure that they play their roles according to the policy that governs the process. Recommendations included the following: training of the stakeholders should be taken into consideration, nepotism and other unfair practices should be avoided, information distribution and communication should be improved, and effectiveness during the process should be emphasized as well as the composition of the selection panel. Future research should be on further enhancement of the selection process to be effective and efficient taking into consideration the needs of different societies and the nation as a whole. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

South African education authorities demand of teachers a high degree of competency in both official languages. In the Cape Province in particular, teachers are not considered eligible for promotion posts unless they possess the so-called Higher Bilingualism Certificate, signifying their command of both official languages at "First Language" level. In view of the fact that the overwhelming majority of schools nowadays are single-medium institutions; this requirement may strike the objective observer as an anomaly. An attempt was made, therefore, first of all to investigate the historical background to this requirement. The "language question", a problematic feature of South African education since the beginning of the nineteenth.century, was not resolved when legislators chose "bilingualism and language equality" for the Union of South Africa in 1910. The available evidence suggests, however, that bilingualism was actively pursued as an educational ideal at least until the end of the 1940s, and for this reason education authorities placed a high premium on teachers who were "fully bilingual". Nowadays the typical (White) school is a single-medium institution where the second language is rarely if ever heard outside the classroom where it is taught as a subject. The present policy, to demand a high degree of proficiency in both official languages of teachers occupying promotion posts at such a school, may then be described not only as an anomaly, but as an anachronism. A further problem is the fact that the various educational institutions (specifically teachers' colleges and universities) that set examinations leading to the Higher Bilingualism Certificate rarely communicate with one another, and are therefore unable to agree on uniform standards and criteria, or to ensure that such standards are maintained. That this is indeed the case, was confirmed by examination of "Big E" test papers set at three teachers' colleges, two Colleges for Continued Training, and four universities in the Cape Province. In an attempt to establish what assistance and support might be needed by a "second language" user of English in order for him to improve to the point where he resembled a "first language" user of English in his "terminal language behaviour", a comparison (by means of error analysis) of the responses of two groups (an Ll and an L2 group) to the same test paper was undertaken. The available evidence suggests that L2 users may need to be helped to acquire a more extensive vocabulary, but, above all, that they need to improve their ability to handle two crucially important aspects of usage: idiom and grammar. The final chapter attempts to establish pedagogic and linguistic bases for a course intended for "Big E" candidates, and makes recommendations with regard to (i) the content and the form of the course, and (ii) sound examination practice. The concluding thoughts offer the view that such a course could remain useful even in a future South Africa where the emphasis may shift from a demand for teachers who are "fully bilingual" to teachers who have a good command of English.

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