NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Dehcho Region, North Slave Region, South Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, education, teachers, educational evaluation

Objective(s): The goal of this research is to examine the usefulness of the NWT Teacher Induction and Mentorship Program for the adjustment process of novice teachers in the NWT.

Project Description: The goal of this research is to examine the usefulness of the NWT Teacher Induction and Mentorship Program for the adjustment process of novice teachers in the NWT. The results of this research will be compared with the results of the two year study that has been conducted by the researcher about the adjustment proves of the new teachers in Bedouin schools in the Negev region in southern Israel. The research will be qualitative and quantitative: For gathering qualitative data, available Induction workshops will be observed by the researcher. The researcher will also conduct in-depth one hour interviews with about seven teachers, who will be chosen randomly. The interviews will be conducted in schools. In addition, representatives of the GNWT – Department of Education, Culture and Employment and from the Northwest Territories Teachers Association will be interviewed. Some mentoring sessions will be observed, after having the approval of the participants and the school’s principal. The observations will take place in schools. Individuals may refuse to participate or may withdraw from the study at any time. The interview will be audio-taped. After the interview, the tape will be transcribed and a written copy will be sent to the participant for review. The participant may edit or delete anything s/he does not want included in the interview. Participation is completely voluntary, anonymous and confidential. No one except the researcher or individual participant will be allowed to hear the audio-tape or read the transcripts. Only group information will be summarized for any presentation or publication of results. Tapes and raw data will be stored for three years, at which time they will be permanently erased / destroyed. For the quantitative part, a questionnaire will be distributed close to the end of the school year to at least 100 new teachers who participate in the Induction Program in the NWT. Questionnaires will be distributed by mail, with a posted return envelope. Copies of the results and a report in English will be sent to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment – GNWT, to the Northwest Territories Teachers Association, and to the Aurora Research Institute library. An article about the research will be sent to the Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy. The research will be conducted from April 03 to June 30, 2008. Interviews with teachers, and GNWT-ECE and NWTTA representatives will be conducted in Yellowknife,Behchoko, and possibly Fort Smith and/or Hay River. Questionnaires will be mailed to school teachers throughout the Northwest Territories.