Contact: NEA Public Relations (202) 822-7823, newsdeadline@nea.org

June 29, 2007

NEA, SATURN/UAW Hit the Road To Retain Great Teachers

Creative and inventive programs jump start teacher retention efforts

PHILADELPHIA—Fighting off the alarming trend that almost 50 percent of new teachers exit the profession within the first five years, the burning question on the minds of superintendents this summer:  How can school districts ensure that the teachers—as well as the students—return this back-to-school season?

The annual NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Awards, launched in 1997 to show appreciation for exemplary partnership efforts between local school districts and education associations, were presented today as part of pre-convention activities for the Annual Meeting of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association, which is celebrating its landmark 150th anniversary. 

"A great teacher is in the driver's seat of every great public school classroom," said NEA President Reg Weaver.  "The six recipients of this year's NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Awards steer local education associations and school districts toward innovative ways to assist new teachers in their careers, thanks in part to their collaborative, joint efforts."

The 2007 winning partnerships are in the following communities, listed in alphabetical order of each recipient's state:

Olathe, Kan.—The Olathe National Education Association and Olathe District Schools work together to deliver a multifaceted approach consisting of a three-day preservice induction period, ongoing mentoring and support, and a professional growth and appraisal system.  The four-year program relies on support ranging from building principals to master educators.  Mentors receive monthly newsletters packed with tips and materials.  Per negotiated agreement, mentors are compensated through a supplemental salary contract and earn professional development points on the salary schedule.

Hamburg N.Y. —Hamburg Central School District and Hamburg Teachers' Association developed a mentor/teacher internship program to support teachers new to the profession.  The Hamburg Mentor Program is an extension of a peer coaching program dating from 1990.  After researching various models, a committee appointed by the superintendent and the Association president agreed that a successful educator requires confidence in the classroom.  The program provides guidance, support and peer evaluations to first-year teachers from experienced teachers.

Rochester, N.Y.—Building on collaboration and trust between labor and management, the Rochester Teachers Association and Rochester City School District launched its "Career in Teaching" program, which designates four stages in a teacher's career—intern, resident teacher, professional teacher and lead teacher.   Each stage requires all teachers to meet professional teaching standards expectations.  This bold approach goes beyond the usual new teacher mentoring and professional development sessions and addresses peer assistance and review of both new and veteran teachers throughout their careers. 

Hamilton, Ohio—The district-wide Hamilton City School District Mentoring Program, a collaborative effort between the Hamilton Classroom Teachers' Association and Hamilton City School District, has supported more than 300 teachers in its nine-year history by promoting personal and professional development to first year teachers.  The program, which has evolved into a successful marketing tool to recruit and retain quality teachers in this financially strapped urban school district, provides entry-level teachers with the guidance they need to pass licensure exams, including Praxis III, a classroom performance-based assessment.

Youngstown, Ohio —With the teacher turnover rate in poor inner-city schools unusually high—particularly for new teachers—the Youngstown Education Association and Youngstown City School District forged a partnership to beat the odds.  The "New Educators' Support Team" helps teachers become more effective in the classroom and meet tough state licensure requirements.  The program offers entry-level teacher programs, professional development tools and mentoring; new teachers also receive guidance in classroom management, instructional delivery strategies and curriculum content standards.

Middleton, Wis. —The Middleton Education Association and Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District launched the Supportive Training to Actively Retain Teachers (START), a new teacher induction program that identifies best practices, reflects cultural changes and improves student achievement.  The two-year START program, which is designed and negotiated to go beyond a traditional school orientation session and to make every new teacher feel valued and part of the whole system, pairs new teachers or less experienced teachers new to the district with experienced district teachers.  The program begins with a two-day induction class on classroom management, district culture, performance expectations and includes district tours.

The winning six partnerships of the 2007 NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Awards were judged on criteria including a strong mentoring program, differentiated staffing for novice teachers, common planning time, ongoing professional development, access to an external network of teachers and standards-based evaluation.   A total of 68 school districts in partnership with NEA local affiliates from 25 states have received this prestigious award over the past decade. 

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.