Learning From Sociograms: Mapping Novice Teacher Support

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 75
  In Roundtable Session: The Teacher Factor: Examining Challenges to Building Teacher Capacity to Implement College- and Career-Ready Standards

Abstract

Novice teacher turnover rates challenge public schools. Research indicates that this may be attributed to a lack of support. The evaluation of an urban teacher residency program included social network analyses to examine the relationship between the size of novice teachers’ support networks and their planned retention as teachers. Findings suggest that by increasing the number of individuals novice teachers could reach out to for support, equipping those contacts with skills to provide assistance, and empowering novice teachers with the confidence and willingness to reach out for support when they need it may provide a solution to addressing educator turnover. This study provides an example of how SNA methodology can be used to evaluate programs.

Authors

• Rebecca M Swann-Jackson, M.Ed, Montclair State University

• Paige Frenkel, Montclair State University

• Theresa Cannone, Montclair State University

• Eden Kyse, Montclair State University