This anthology on teacher induction research is intended for researchers, policy makers, and practitioners in the field of teacher induction both nationally and internationally. This book is the final and major project of the Association of Teacher Educators' (ATE) Commission on Teacher Induction and Mentoring. Its importance is derived from three sources: (1) careful conceptualization of teacher induction from historical, methodological, and international perspectives; (2) systematic reviews of research literature relevant to various aspects of teacher induction including its social, cultural, and political contexts, program components and forms, and the range of its effects; (3) substantial empirical studies on the important issues of teacher induction with different kinds of methodologies that exemplify future directions and approaches to the research in teacher induction. The content of the book has direct implications for ATE's membership since part of the ATE mission is to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth of the Association membership whether members are researchers, policy makers, or practitioners in teacher learning and/or teacher induction.

This book draws together various theoretical and research-based perspectives to examine the institutionalization of mentoring processes for beginning teachers. Teacher induction, defined as the guidance provided to new teachers, is increasingly gaining traction as a key stage in promoting quality education. Major efforts have been put into reducing transitional challenges from being a student teacher to a practicing teacher; optimizing professional relationships and socialization into school dynamics; and increasing teacher retention. Mentoring has been proven to add benefits in assisting beginning teachers during the early years of their teaching career, because it provides the required knowledge and skills to face uncertain school scenarios and the complexities of practice. However, teacher induction programs are not part of regular instruction in many countries. The lack of teacher training during the induction phase might result in lower levels of commitment, professional isolation, or even attrition. This book calls for more concrete mentoring processes for early career teachers, and questions how this can be put into practice.

Discusses the importance of training, supporting, and retaining new teachers, presents a step-by-step process for structuring an induction program, and features a list of replicable induction programs.