Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Brian Adams
Committee Member
Janice L. Bevan
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
beginning teachers, Charlotte County, Charlotte County School System, data collection, educator training, evaluation methodology, first-year teachers, Florida, institutes (training programs), mentors, mentoring programs, new educator training manual, New Educator Training Program, peer teachers, professional needs, program effectiveness, program evaluation, public school teachers, qualitative data, quantitative data, retention rates, support programs, surveys, teacher education, teacher retention, yearly evaluations
Abstract
The purpose of this applied dissertation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the New Educator Training Program offered to first-year teachers in the Charlotte County School System in order to determine if it is effective in meeting the needs of the teachers participating in the program.
The research questions were(a) What are the critical components that comprise an effective New Educator Training Program?, (b) Do beginning teachers and mentors in the New Educator Training Program effectively understand and demonstrate the Desirable Effective Qualities as outlined in the Charlotte County New Educator Training Manual?, (c) Does it appear that the New Educator Training Program provides effective assistance to beginning teachers?, (d) Is there a significant relationship between the New Educator Training Program and retention rates of beginning teachers?, (e) Do beginning teachers and mentors feel that the support program in place adequately meets their professional needs?, (f) What elements of successful new teacher mentoring programs exist elsewhere in Florida and the region?, and (g) What should be modified or added to the current program to make it more effective?
Evaluation methodology was used to determine the effectiveness of the New Educator Training Program. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using a survey administered to new teachers as well as peer teachers in the district.
The findings of the applied dissertation with regard to the 7 research questions indicated that new teachers and peer teachers were satisfied with the effectiveness of the New Educator Training Program. The researcher concluded that no major program changes are necessary, and yearly evaluations of the program are recommended.