Teachers matter: attracting, developing and retaining effective teachers: overview

Fostering effective teaching: lessons from a 25 nation study on trends and developments of the teacher workforce

Published by: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) , 2005
Via: Eldis

Many countries are experiencing high rates of teacher attrition, while others are endowed with a large over-supply of qualified instructors. How can a country effectively attract, develop and retain a teacher? This report provides a comprehensive, international analysis of trends and developments in the teacher workforce from 25 countries. It outlines areas of concern and provides examples where policies have made a positive difference. Evidence on the key factors in attracting, developing and retaining effective teachers is presented. The report also provides teacher policy options for countries to consider and priorities for future work at national and international levels. From the findings, authors elicit policy implications for both the teaching profession as a whole, as well as particular types of teachers and schools. Despite major differences between the two, several policy recommendations are shared, these include:

• emphasise teacher quality over quantity
• adopt a dynamic approach to teaching by supporting professional development throughout teachers? career
• develop individualised profiles to align a teacher?s development and performance with school needs
• facilitate entrance into the teaching career by providing alternative routes into the profession
• strengthen the sense of commitment between teachers and schools.