ERIC Number: EJ1256905
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-May
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1554-754X
EISSN: N/A
CTE Teacher Retention: Lessons Learned from Mid-Career Teachers
Hasselquist, Laura; Graves, Nicole A.
Career and Technical Education Research, v45 n1 p3-16 May 2020
Schools across the country are facing a shortage of Career & Technical Education (CTE) teachers. Challenges regarding recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers have far-reaching economic and educational implications. The literature notes multiple factors associated with CTE teacher attrition, such as low pay, absence of adequate teaching resources, and lack of administrative support. The current study aimed to identify factors associated with teacher retention via focus group interviews with mid-career (7-15 years) CTE teachers. The focus group included (N=4) CTE teachers from a Midwest state; the group was comprised of three agriculture teachers and one family & consumer sciences teacher. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed four themes related to the retention of mid-career CTE teachers: (1) setting boundaries, (2) shifting priorities/focus, (3) building a professional support network, and (4) innovating in the classroom. Recommendations for practice include induction programming focused on prioritizing programmatic opportunities and professional needs and involvement of preservice teachers in professional organizations early and often. Recommendations for research include exploring the level of involvement in professional organizations and its influence on career satisfaction and examining the benefits a mentor gains from a mentoring relationship.
Descriptors: Vocational Education Teachers, Teacher Persistence, Teacher Shortage, Labor Turnover, Teaching Conditions, Experienced Teachers, Educational Innovation, Networks, Teacher Associations, Teacher Attitudes, Beginning Teacher Induction, Preservice Teachers, Preservice Teacher Education, Job Satisfaction, Mentors
Association for Career and Technical Education Research. Web site: http://acteronline.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A