Retaining Science Teachers

Recruiting and retaining high quality science teachers are objectives of school administrators in Texas as well as across the entire nation. Science teachers are in high demand and once they recruited by a school, conscious efforts are essential to retain them because they have skills considered valuable in the private sector.
In the research report titled Professional Relationships within School Walls by Toni Ivey and Ra'sheedah Richardson from Texas A&M University, 5 ways to promote successful recruiting, retaining and renewing of science teachers are discussed.

1. Cultivate a professional learning community
2. Promote teacher leadership
3. Facilitate a comprehensive induction program
4. Provide situated professional development
5. Promote evaluation and feedback

Teacher retention occurs at the school level and teachers' decisions to stay or leave are based on the amount of support they receive at the school. Professional relationships can have significant impacts on a science teacher's enthusiasm, commitment, renewal, job satisfaction, and eventual decision whether or not to stay in the teaching profession.

To read more of Professional Relationships within School Walls please go to http://prise.tamu.edu/PRISEweb/Research_Products.html scroll down and click on white paper 2007-4.