RETENTION OF ACCOMPLISHED VETERAN SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS by Russell Brett Hardin Almost 30 percent of new teachers flee the profession after just three years, and more than 40 percent leave after 5 years (Allen, 2005). Studies conducted by Borman and Dowling (2008), Guarino et al. (2006) and Ingersoll and Smith (2003) indicate that teacher attrition rates are also high in the later years of teaching careers. While these rates of attrition reflect both public and private school teachers, numerous studies have found that private schools see higher attrition rates, potentially damaging an independent school’s ability to fulfill its stated mission (Ingersoll, 2002; O’Keefe, 2001; Provasnik & Dorfman, 2005). While research exists about teacher attrition and retention issues in the early years (Borman & Dowling, 2008), limited research exists about the factors that impact retention of veteran teachers. The purpose of this study is to examine a specific school context in which many successful, veteran, social studies teachers have remained in the same school setting while teaching the same age groups and to determine why those teachers have returned to their classrooms each year. The focus of this study is: What are the factors that keep veteran social studies teachers engaged and excited about teaching and learning? To examine why veteran teachers have stayed in a specific school context teaching the same age groups, I used interviews, informal conversations, and document analysis to build narratives that reflect on the career paths of six teachers. Each of the six teachers who participated in this study taught at the same institution for over 15 years and has at least 20 years as a full-time instructor in the classroom. The qualitative research methodology of grounded theory provided the most appropriate guidelines and tools to examine this group of veteran teachers. The results of this study indicate that to retain veteran teachers, schools may want to consider providing teachers with substantial autonomy over curricula and actively support teachers in discerning and pursuing their own goals for professional development. Schools that are able to build a learning rich environment for their veteran teachers may be more likely to retain an engaged and successful faculty.

本研究旨在探討大台北地區（台北縣與台北市）高中英語科教師在選擇教材時，可能會考量到的因素，其研究重點在於了解不同學校類型（公、私立，與城、鄉學校）以及資深與年輕老師在選擇教材時，是否有其不同的考量因素。 本研究主採問卷調查，佐以訪談方式進行。除就大台北地區二十七所公、私立高中英語科教師做抽樣調查外，並針對十位教師及六位教科書編撰者進行深入訪談，希望藉此進一步了解教師們與教科書編撰者所考量的因素為何，並探討兩者所考量的因素是否有其相關性。本研究最後歸納出結論如下： 1. 學生的英語程度與學習需求以及英語文的正確與自然度是老師與教材編撰者共同考量的因素。 2. 選擇教材時，公立高中的英文老師重視經銷人員的服務態度與售後服務以及教材的配套完整。而私立高中的英文老師重視大學聯考的導向以及學校教育政策。 3. 選擇教材時，任教於城市的高中英文老師重視經銷人員的服務態度與售後服務、溝通式教學法的理念以及教科書所涵蓋的文化層面。而任教於鄉鎮的高中英文老師重視老師本身多重職務角色之扮演（教學、導師或其他行政職務）、教學信念跟語文能力以及教材的價格是否合宜。 4. 選擇教材時，資深與年輕老師所考量的因素並沒有很大的差異。 整體來說，在選擇教材時，內在因素例如英語文的正確性、教材的編輯原理與組織架構仍是老師們最主要的考量。然而外在因素例如學生的英語程度、大學聯考的導向、學校教育政策、以及經銷人員的服務態度，亦是老師在選擇教材時所會考量到因素。因此本研究建議出版社在編撰教科書時也應考量到外在因素，使其教科書更趨於完善，更能符合老師與學生的需求。然而在此同時，老師們也應加強自己的專業知識，使其在選擇教材時能做出最正確的判斷。 / The present study was aimed at investigating what factors English teachers of senior high schools in greater Taipei area took into consideration when selecting textbooks, with particular focus on the comparison of differences between public and private schools, urban and rural schools, and senior and young teachers. Meanwhile, textbook compilers’ considerations were also explored to see if their concerns were in accordance with those of teachers. The questionnaire survey was the main research method of the present study. Moreover, the interview method was also conducted to probe further information. In total, 10 English teachers and 6 textbook compilers were interviewed in the present research. Based on the findings of the present study, four crucial points were concluded as suggested. 1. Most students’ English proficiency and learning needs as well as accurate and proper English were the primary concerns of the general English teachers and textbook compliers. 2. When selecting textbooks, public school teachers emphasized salespersons’ service and the textbook’s intact package, whereas private school teachers considered Joint College Entrance Examination, and school’s leadership more. 3. Likewise, urban school teachers took salespersons’ service, Communicative Approach and cultural component into more account than rural school teachers who were more concerned about teachers’ various roles such as teachers, mentors or administrative personnel, their own English proficiency, and textbooks’ price. 4. However, no significant differences were found between senior teachers and young teachers. Generally speaking, internal factors such as appropriateness, naturalness of English, and rationale, organization of the textbook were the primary concerns for senior high English teachers in textbook selection. However, English teachers of senior high schools were also concerned about external factors such as English proficiency and learning needs, Joint College Entrance Examination, school’s leadership, and salespersons’ service. Therefore, it is suggested that publishing companies should take external factors into more consideration to ensure that textbook being compiled can be more comprehensive in all aspects and be related to needs of both teachers and students. Meanwhile, teachers should take a firm stance based on their updated professional knowledge in making any sound judgments related to textbook selection and evaluation.