Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Carol B. Furtwengler

Committee Member

Eugene Costa

Committee Member

Ronald P. Kern

Keywords

Faculty Mobility, Faculty Recruitment, Teacher Attitudes, Teacher Persistence, Urban Teaching

Abstract

This applied dissertation was designed to provide insight into what motivates highly qualified teachers to remain in urban schools. Research has shown that the single most important factor in a child’s education is the teacher. Consequently, the issues related to teacher recruitment and retention rank as serious problems facing urban schools and the achievement of their children.

The purpose of this study was to examine what motivates highly qualified teachers to remain in urban schools and to identify factors that may contribute to the retention and recruitment of an urban teaching corps. This study also sought to determine if there were differences in perceptions of teachers who were highly qualified based on certification criteria and those who were highly qualified and also labeled as effective based on improved student performance.

Data gathered from a survey administered to urban teachers found that intrinsic factors were the most influential in motivating them to stay in the profession. External factors such as monetary incentives and collaborative relationships were the essential in the recruitment of new urban teachers. There were no major differences in the survey responses between teachers who were highly qualified based on certification and those based on student performance. The findings and conclusions in this study were consistent with the literature on retention and recruitment of urban teachers.

Download
Share Feedback

Share

COinS