Elementary School Campuses and New Teachers

In this study, the researchers examined the five most recent years of data (2003-2004 through 2007-2008) from the Academic Excellence Indicator System of the State of Texas regarding new teachers on elementary school campuses. We examined the extent to which differences were present between elementary school campuses with the highest new teacher percentages and elementary school campuses with the lowest new teacher percentages. In every case for all 5 years, elementary school campuses with the highest percentages of new teachers had the highest percentages of minority students, highest percentages of economically disadvantaged students, and highest percentages of at-risk students than did elementary school campuses with the lowest percentages of new teachers. Implications of these findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Salary and Ranking and Teacher Turnover: A Statewide Study

This study examined three years of data obtained from the Academic Excellence Indicator System of the State of Texas regarding teacher turnover rate and teacher salary. Across all public school districts, teacher salary was consistently negatively related to teacher turnover; that is, where salary was lower, turnover rate was higher When data were regrouped by highest- and poorest-paying school districts, teacher turnover rate was found to be twice as high in the poorest-paying school districts. Implications of these findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.