Stopping the Revolving Door of Teacher Turnover

Posted by on November 24, 2006

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

STOPPING THE REVOLVING DOOR OF TEACHER TURNOVER

In August 2004, New York City launched possibly the largest, most aggressive overhaul of teacher induction in the country. Recognizing, as in many urban school systems, that new teachers were leaving the city schools faster than they could be replaced, the NYC Department of Education (DOE), the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and the New Teacher Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz (NTC) joined forces to implement a $36 million program that would change the way new teachers are supported throughout the city. This policy paper describes the parameters of the project, assessing successes and challenges. It highlights six key lessons from their work: (1) Build political will for reform of inductions systems; (2) Ensure all mentoring programs develop and maintain a high-quality selection process; (3) Identify and support successful program standards; (4) Align mentoring program and general induction activities with district and regional programs related to teacher development; (5) Address systemic and infrastructure issues that impact new teachers; and (6) Leverage systems change by building on mentor skills, knowledge, and experience.

http://www.newteachercenter.org/nyc_policy_paper.php