The first chapter summarises the key policy issues around which this report
is centred. These include discussions of new teachers and the schools
in which they work, the support and development that new teachers
receive and the work and the efficacy of new teachers. This introduction
also describes the key features of the TALIS 2008 dataset, including the
sampling used in TALIS and how this affects the analysis of new teachers
that is discussed throughout the report. The background information
provided in this chapter is particularly important given the implications
for comparisons made between new and experienced teachers.