Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

December 1992

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine the adequacy of teacher supply and to identify teacher recruitment practices used in large and small school districts in six southeastern states and to elicit from respondents ratings of the importance and effectiveness of the various teacher recruitment practices. A population of 362 small and large school districts in 6 states, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, was surveyed in the late summer and fall of 1991. The return rate was 50.27%. The survey instrument had been developed by Roger L. Nall and was revised by the researcher. A pilot study and review by a panel of experts were conducted. Thirty-five null hypotheses were formulated. Seventeen were retained and 11 were rejected. Seven were complex and were evaluated item by item. Statistical tests used included the t-test for independent means, the chi-square, and the Komolgorov-Smirnov two sample test. Data were analyzed in terms of relationships to three dichotomous variables: district size, small or large; location, rural or urban; and district experience with teacher supply and demand, teacher shortage or no shortage. Districts responding to the survey were using a variety of teacher recruitment practices. Significant differences were found between districts when grouped by the three dichotomous variables in the use of specific teacher recruitment practices and the number of recruitment practices used. Large districts and urban districts made greater use of recruitment practices that covered a broader geographic area and of long-range solutions to shortage conditions. Small districts and rural districts made greater use of internal posting of vacancies and general reliance upon in-state contacts. A total of 53 recruitment practices in use in 2 or more districts were identified. A list of 36 recruitment practices regarded as most effective was developed. Districts responding to the survey were experiencing teacher shortage conditions, with 51.9% of urban and 50% of rural districts and 47.2% of small and 56.8% of large districts citing teacher shortage conditions. Specific subject or endorsement areas in which teacher shortage conditions existed were identified.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

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