Retaining Novice Teachers Through Effective Teacher Induction Programs

• In Event: Critical Components of Induction Programs: What Matters Most?

Abstract

U.S. teacher attrition in the first five years of teachers’ career can be as high as 50%. The issue of attrition, while most serious in schools with high minority populations, presents a concern for all students in relation to achievement. Many studies have found that a strong induction program supports teachers and cuts down on attrition of teachers. Is it, however, formal induction programs that minimize attrition among teachers, or informal mentoring that occurs in schools? This paper examines the induction program of a school district in Alberta, Canada that has successfully retained teachers to understand perspectives of both novice and veteran teachers as well as administrators to determine what role the formal induction program plays in teacher retention.

Author

• Kathryn Ann Sallis, Council of Chief State School Officers