1. Report on the 1995-96 Beginning Teacher Induction Program in New Brunswick.
- Author
-
Scott, Neil H. and Compton, Ellen
- Abstract
Following two years of pilot projects, the Beginning Teacher Induction Program (BTIP) was implemented in all twelve anglephone school districts in New Brunswick (Canada) during the 1995-96 school year. The program is sponsored by the Province Department of Education with the support of the New Brunswick Teachers Association and the University of New Brunswick. Participants were 156 beginning teachers and 147 mentors. This study is based on data from questionnaires sent to mentors, beginning teachers, principals, and district contact staff with 203 replies (49 percent return) analyzed. Beginning teachers and mentors reported frequent informal contacts and class observation and feedback by mentors. Beginning teachers emphasized the importance of mentors for emotional and professional support and insights. Mentors reported gains in knowledge of new techniques and the opportunity to reflect on their own teaching practices. Principals and district staff reported similar benefits and all groups recommended continuation of the program. Problems were reported in regard to a shortage of time, lack of information, failure to develop a collegial relationship, pairs mismatched in grade levels, and classrooms not in close proximity. Overall, it was found that the goals of the program were met and the program holds considerable promise for both teacher induction and encouraging collegial norms of professional development within the teaching profession. (JLS)
- Published
- 1996