Unraveling the "Teacher Shortage" Problem : Teacher Retention is the Key.

This paper examines how the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future will address the high teacher attrition rates. Sections discuss: "The Conventional Wisdom is Wrong" (it is important to focus on how to keep the good teachers who have been recruited, trained, and hired rather than ask how to find and prepare more teachers); "A Closer Look at the Numbers" (teacher turnover and attrition rates are high, the supply of teachers is generally adequate to meet the demand, and retirement is not as much of a contributing factor as some think); "Why Do We Appear to Have S̀hortages'?" (distribution inequities across regions, states, and districts and by field); "High Teacher Turnover Has Significant Costs" (putting a price tag on teacher turnover and the cost of high turnover for students); "How Can We Reduce High Teacher Turnover?" (salaries, working conditions, teacher preparation, and beginning teacher mentoring); "We Need Schools Designed for the 21st Century"; and "A Three Part Strategy" (organize schools for teaching and learning success, ensure that the teacher preparation system meets teaching requirements of the schools and learning needs of students, and develop and sustain professionally rewarding career paths for teachers). (SM)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.