First-Year Teaching Experiences: Are They Different for Traditionally versus Alternatively Certified Teachers?

The recruitment and retention of public school teachers has been an area of concern for many years. Teacher recruitment has been addressed through the development of alternative pathways to teacher certification. Teacher retention has been addressed primarily through induction programs that provide mentoring and other support resources to beginning teachers. Research has looked at the impact of alternative certification programs on teacher recruitment and teacher effectiveness. In addition, there has been extensive research on the impact of induction programs to help retain teachers in the field. This study provides information regarding how teachers who enter the field through alternative certification programs respond to these induction programs, in comparison to those who enter through more traditional programs.