New Teachers, Getting Adjusted, 2015-2016

Executive Summary

Chapter 1: Methodology

Elementary Classroom Teachers Most Vocal Overall, Regardless of Experience

Veteran Teachers Have more to Say

New Teachers in 2015-16 Represent Third-Largest Grade Level Responders

Table 1.1: Teaching Position in School District

Table 1.2: Teaching Experience

Table 1.3: Experience by Grade Level, 2015-16 First Year Teachers

Chapter 2: Overview of the Teaching Profession

Introduction

Teaching Force Grows Slightly; Public School Vacancies Decline

High Teacher Turnover Afflicting California, North Carolina Schools

Math, Science, Special Education Remain Most Difficult Subjects to Staff

Table 2.1: Teachers in Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2011-12

Table 2.2: Percentage of Public Schools With at Least One Teaching Vacancy

Table 2.3: Turnover Reasons by Categories, North Carolina, 2014-15

Table 2.4: Percentage of Public Schools With at Least One Difficult to Staff Teaching Position by Subject Area

Chapter 3: Preparation

Introduction

Training Favors Standards, Technology; Mentoring on the Rise

Technology, Lesson Plan Ideas Can Increase Classroom Efficiency

Colleagues Represent Most Popular Source for New Teaching Ideas

Helping Children Academically, Sharing Subject Matter Passion Are Main Motivators

Table 3.1: Level of Comfort or Concern

Table 3.2: Percentage of 2015-16 First Year Teachers Who Received Training in Specific Areas Before Classes Began

Table 3.3: What Would Help Increase Position Efficiency, Total Survey Group

Table 3.4: What Would Help Increase Position Efficiency, 2015-16 First Year Teachers

Chapter 4: Instructional Materials & Devices

Introduction

Print Textbooks Still Most Preferred Instructional Material

First-Year Teachers Lean toward Print

Teacher Participation Low in Primary Curriculum Program Selection

Digital Resource Use Low, Mostly to Supplemental Print Instructional Materials

Digital Textbooks, Adaptive Learning Software Used Least Often in Classrooms

Team, Coworker Most Influence Supplement Choices

District Provided Funds Used Mostly for Music, Art, Lab Supplies

Use of Digital Devices in Classrooms High, Tablets/iPads Are Most Popular

Table 4.1: Most Preferred Resource for Teaching Core Subjects

Table 4.2: Most Preferred Resource for Teaching Core Subjects, 2015-16 First Year Teachers

Table 4.3: Five or More Hours Being Spent Using Digital Resources for In-Class Instruction

Table 4.4: Frequency of Instructional Resource Use in Classroom

Table 4.5: Frequency of Instructional Resource Use in Classroom, 2015-16 First Year Teachers

Table 4.6: Device Most Desired for Classroom Use

Chapter 5: Conclusions/Summary

Teacher Motivation Remains Consistent, Reliance On Peer Strong

Teachers Want Increased Use of Digital Materials, Tablets/iPads

Use of Devices Equalizes across Levels of Teaching Experience

Appendix I: Survey Questions and Response Rates

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