50 Texas Teachers Year 2

General Project Information

In Texas, the need for high school mathematics and science teachers is great. Attracting and retaining higher numbers of mathematics and science teachers in the profession requires more information about the background, training, and work of this subpopulation of teachers. The 50 Texas Teacher Study is a three-year study funded by the Sid W. Richardson Foundation. The study was undertaken to investigate the personal characteristics, preparation, entry and career development of 50 novice high school mathematics and science teachers in Texas. The project is focused on discovering what factors attract potential educators to become secondary mathematics and science teachers, what facilitates their success or failure during the first three years of teaching, and the effect of personal characteristics and preparation on the teaching experience. Expanding the knowledge base about issues affecting novice secondary mathematics and science teachers during their initial teaching years will offer information to school districts and preparation programs about necessary organizational changes and/or program modifications which support this key population of teachers.

Research Team:

Jo Ann Wheeler	Managing Director, Region 4 Educational Service Center
Anna McClane	Director, Science/Social Studies Sciences Region 4 Educational Service Center
David Eschberger	Director, Mathematics Services Region 4 Educational Service Center

Participating Public School Research Network Districts:

Scope of Work

Research Questions

The 50 Texas Teachers Project is designed to identify evidence-based answers to the following overarching research questions.

1. What factors attract one to become a secondary mathematics or science educator?
2. What factors facilitate the success of high school mathematics and science teachers during their first three years of teaching?
3. What cultural, professional, or personal elements keep novice teachers in the field of teaching or cause them to leave the profession?

Sample Demographics

Data Sources and Instrumentation

The following data sources and instrumentation were used to collect data from study participants:

• Teacher interview protocol;
• Data collected during summer focus groups; and
• Various online questionnaires.

Work to Date

Year 1

Initial interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 51 novice high school mathematics and science teachers using a protocol adapted from the work of Dr. Susan Moore-Johnson’s study on 50 Massachusetts Teachers. Further data was collected during a summer focus group meeting. A first year report was submitted delineating sample characteristics and presenting initial survey information.

Year 2

During Year 2, follow-up interviews were conducted along with administration of questionnaires about teaching practice and attitudes towards teaching. During a summer focus group, further information was elicited about the previous years’ experiences.

Current Project Work Underway

Year 3 research questions, methodology, and participants’ meetings are being finalized by the research team and CREATE staff.

Related Documents/Products

Conceptual Model

(link to Conceptual Model)

Year 2 Final Report

Contact: