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Reflections of the teaching trajectory to attrition or retention with a focus on school climate and culture, and diversity, equity and inclusivity, 2021

 Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Par
Identifier: b7930733

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of dissertations written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Educational Leadership program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Doctor of Education degree.


During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and School of Education, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.


Dates

  • Creation: 2021

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.


Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (732-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.


Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.


Patrons must sign a completed Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to obtain access to the collection. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.




Extent

1 Items (print book) : 179 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Decades of research continue to show that effective teachers are the single most important factor and strongest influence on students’ academic achievement, motivation, self-efficacy, and social emotional development. Yet, approximately 40-50% of teachers leave the profession within their first five years; that number increases to up to 70% for teachers who serve students of color. In addition, one out of every five teachers leave the teaching profession after their first year, therefore, beginning teachers have the highest rate of attrition. These high attrition rates lead to a revolving door through which nearly a million teachers move into and out of schools each year. Strong evidence suggests these patterns of teacher mobility ultimately impact students’ equitable and cultural education. The problem this study explored was the high rate of teacher attrition and its impact. The purpose of this study was to identify the teaching practices and experiences which lead to attrition or retention, with a focus on Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity. In order to accomplish this purpose, twelve teachers participated in a qualitative, semi-structured interview. Six former teachers and six current teachers were individually interviewed; among the twelve, two case studies were presented. Their responses were in reflection of their first-year and beginning years teaching. The constant comparative method generated grounded theory and social cognitive theory approach was used to analyze the data. After and in-depth analysis, three categories emerged from the data; the Trajectory to Attrition or Retention, Interpersonal Relationships, and Effective Teaching Practices and Experiences. The categories were synthesized to report the findings of the study. The following Research Question was designed to guide and frame this study: RQ) What impacts the trajectory to teacher attrition or teacher retention? The Research Question was answered in the following six findings of this study. First, passion emerged, in this study, as a iii universal and paramount theme. Second, the high rate of teacher attrition, in this study, broadly supports the data from Ingersoll’s research; 40-50% of teachers leave within the first five years. Third, consistent with existing bodies of knowledge; the main reasons teachers leave the teaching profession is their lack of belief and confidence in the educational system and lack administrative support [sic] (George, 2000; Ingersoll, 2021). The fourth finding, suggests that the reasons teachers who remain in the teaching profession, in this study, are the same reasons they became a teacher: passion, self-efficacy, and focus. The fifth finding is the data which aligns with research which emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships including administrators, families, and mentoring (George, 2000; Henning et al., 2019; Salvatore, 2014). The sixth finding is coherent with previous research; there is a lack of formal teacher preparation and training in the areas of culture, diversity, equity, and inclusivity (Samuels, 2018). This data will contribute to connect research and theory to practice for teachers, teacher leaders, administrators, school districts and universities. As this data informs educational institutions, it aims to strengthen and improve teacher preparation and practice, to support the development and the retention of effective teachers, and to ultimately create a progressive and sustainable school climate and culture of diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

Partial Contents

List of tables -- List of figures -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Review of the literature -- 3. Research design and methodology -- 4. Data/findings -- 5. Discussion -- Conclusion -- References -- Index.

Repository Details

Part of the Monmouth University Library Archives Repository

Contact:
Monmouth University Library
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West Long Branch New Jersey 07764 United States
732-923-4526