Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Attrition: Issues in Selected First Nations Communities

• In Event: Roundtable Session 39
  In Roundtable Session: Indigenist Teacher Education

Abstract

Historically, First Nations students have experienced significantly lower levels of educational achievement than non-First Nations. Teacher retention is considered a causal factor that influences the quality of First Nations student learning; however, little inquiry has been initiated to investigate definitive links between teacher attrition and student achievement, and virtually no research has been conducted to explore the factors specifically affecting teacher retention in First Nations schools. The purpose of our study is to generate a holistic understanding of school-bound factors that affect teacher retention to First Nations educational organizations. In this paper we report on data collected that provides descriptive evidence of current conditions regarding teacher retention within First Nations schools, and allows opportunity for comparisons to a provincial system.

Authors

• Robin Alison Mueller, University of Saskatchewan

• Larry Steeves, University of Regina

• Sheila Betty Carr-Stewart, University of Saskatchewan

• Jim Marshall, University of Regina