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The lack of evidence-based quantitative studies prevents further progress in mentoring research. In particular, standardized diagnostic instruments facilitating the exploration, evaluation and production of structured feedback for mentors and mentees are urgently needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors and levels that are crucial to the process of mentoring. The study has two objectives: First, to expand the present empirical knowledge of basic dimensions and mentoring styles by developing the first German-language inventory, and second, to examine how the dimensions of the inventory are related to other qualities in the mentoring process. The data were collected at three universities in Austria during and after the school practice periods (student teaching) of advanced student teachers who were under the guidance of mentor teachers. Over the course of the study, 405 mentees (future teachers) evaluated 205 mentors. In order to gather information on mentoring dimensions, a specially designed German-language questionnaire with 53 items was utilized to assess how often certain mentoring behaviors were experienced. Five factors, some of which were validated by independent variables, were identified through an exploratory factor analysis: "Professional Support", "Collegiality", "Working Levels", "Directiveness" and "Confidence". The resulting inventory promoted two objectives: a theory-focused goal to encourage further research on the complexity of mentoring processes; and a practical goal, the creation of a tool for collaborative reflection between mentor and mentee. The results indicated that mentoring must be conceptualized as a professional practice that should entail specific resources and guidelines.

In Austria, the profession of the special education teacher is facing major changes. Presently, special education teachers need to have general pedagogical competences to teach children of all grades, and are expected to have competences in managing highly heterogeneous groups in inclusive settings. Additionally, they need to apply special strategies to efficiently work with children with various special needs. Student teachers starting their education 2015/2016 will no longer have the option of obtaining a distinct degree as a special education teacher. Instead, future teachers will choose between teaching in primary or in secondary schools, and can then select their preferred focus from various options, including inclusive education. This qualitative study is based on written and oral research interviews with teachers in inclusive settings, and aims to identify competences in the areas of knowledge, action, and attitude which teachers consider necessary and effective for successfully teaching a heterogeneous group of pupils. The results indicate the need to further strengthen both the inclusive and the reflexive attitude in teachers. The outcomes will influence curricula development in the new teacher education programmes, and aid to tailor courses offered in in-service training for teachers working in inclusive settings.

As of the 2019/20 school year, newly qualified teachers employed to teach in Austrian schools will be entering a mentoring programme at their career start for the first time. This programme is the responsibility of the school authority and is to last for the induction phase of 12 months. Support to newly employed teachers is provided by collegial mentors and accompanying induction courses provided by the Colleges of Teacher Training. Teaching the curriculum of general competencies as well as the didactic and methodological principles of teaching the diverse subjects of the national curriculum are the stated priority development goals. In order to achieve this, the lesson study approach was chosen as an instrument of professional development support, as it takes advantage of the long-standing and unique professional experiences of all teachers and the school principal in an individual school within its social community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]