| Due to school-aged populations increasing, the majority of the teaching force approaching retirement, the popularity of class size reduction programs, and increased teacher attrition, a critical teaching shortage now exists in California. This study was conducted to analyze the perceptions of teachers and personnel administrators regarding the specific factors that influence teachers to sign a contract for employment.;The sample included 27 unified school districts in Los Angeles County with enrollment between 5,000 and 20,000 students. Teachers new to the school district and district-level personnel directors were the target population. Data were collected via survey instruments and subjected to statistical analysis to (a) identify each of the factors that positively influenced new teachers' decisions to accept employment in selected Southern California school districts; (b) determine if differences exist in the perceptions of sub-groups of teachers (male/female, married/unmarried, elementary/secondary, and first-year teachers/experienced teachers) regarding the importance of 61 items; and (c) identify to what extent the items presented in the questionnaire negatively influenced new teachers' decisions to accept employment.;Opportunity to talk with the site principal, interest shown by interviewer, and personality of principal were three of the top four items rated by teachers. The second most important factor, ease of commute, is not under the control of school districts except to acknowledge that there may be a heightened interest for employment opportunities among teachers in their own communities.;Overall, subgroups of teachers were more alike than different; however, differences did exist. Experienced teachers new to a district (i.e., those moving to different school districts) indicated that the availability of grade level or subject area and the district accepting all prior years of experience were very influential factors. The ability to conduct interviews that show interest in teachers, offer a contract in a timely manner, and give assurances of a particular assignment are favorable incentives to teachers new to a school district.;Some items proved to be the least influential factors in teachers' employment decisions. Teachers rated the following items lowest: year-round school calendar, high minority, low minority, and low socio-economic status. |
