Ingersoll, R. (2012). Beginning teacher induction: what the data tell us. Phi Delta Kappan, 93(8), p. 47-51.

Richard Ingersoll has written many articles regarding teacher induction. This particular article

provides detailed information on the most recent and pertinent research around teacher induction. The

statistics which Ingersoll provides are those found in most articles or research on teacher induction.

Ingersoll provides information regarding the effects of teacher induction and which effects have greater

impact on retention. Research has found that teaching is complex and for beginning teachers to be an

environment where new teachers can learn how to teach, survive and succeed as teachers is necessary.

Ingersoll identified many trends in the teaching force. The first trend Ingersoll referred to as

“ballooning.” This references the increase of the teaching force. Ingersoll found that the teaching force

is expanding at a greater rate than the increase in students. A fact I found particularly interesting and

one I had not heard before stated that in 1988 there were 65,000 new teachers and in 2008 there were

200,000. This is a staggering increase. In addition, the majority of the teaching work force are now new

teachers and induction programs are even more important.

Ingersoll believes that induction is an education reform which it is imperative we include in our

reform efforts. Induction research shows us it can help retain teachers as well as improve their

instruction. The research also tells us that the effect induction can have depends on how much a

beginning teacher receives and for how long.

Ingersoll makes many important points in this article. This article tied together many ideas and

considerations I have regarding teacher induction. Although much of Ingersoll’s research is quantitative I

believe there is still new information to be gleaned from beginning teachers in effective induction

programs. Their stories can give us the information that numbers cannot. This is one of my favorite

articles of the many read this semester.