Abstract

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to investigate high school teacher induction programs in one large urban Florida school district according to criteria identified in the literature, referred to as constructs in the study. In addition, this study sought to determine the relationship, if any, between school-based teacher induction programs and retention rates of first-year high school teachers. Using a triangulation approach, qualitative data were collected through a document analysis of individual high school faculty handbooks and online platforms, and by conducting interviews with the high school induction program designees. Grounded theory and the constant comparative method were utilized to code and further analyze data. Evidence of induction program constructs was recorded and scored using the High School Teacher Induction Matrix. Analysis of quantitative data utilized Pearson's r Correlation and an independent samples t-test. Findings, generated from seven high school induction program designees (N = 7) demonstrated varied implementation of induction program practices across the participant schools. The presence of research-based induction program constructs in high school induction programs did not exceed the 60% threshold. Additionally, qualitative findings demonstrated high school induction coordinators establish program practices and guidelines differently across the high schools. While the majority of high school induction program coordinators in this study received support from their school or the school district, other induction coordinators were left on their own. Statistical analysis revealed no statistical significance between participation in high school teacher induction programs and first-year high school teacher retention. Furthermore, inferential statistics discovered no statistically significant difference in the relationship of first-year high school teacher retention and certification type. However, due to a small n, the results of the study were limited to this context and not generalizable. The conclusions and recommendations of this study can support school district leaders and high school administrators in determining the practices, guidelines, and implementation related to teacher induction programs that are consistent with retaining first-year teachers.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2019

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Taylor, Rosemarye

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College

College of Community Innovation and Education

Department

Educational Leadership and Higher Education

Degree Program

Educational Leadership; Executive

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0007605

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0007605

Language

English

Release Date

August 2024

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

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