Section four of the survey, specifically asked respondents to rate the factors that influenced their decision to accept a job offer. These factors related to financial issues, personal issues, working conditions, and support. The results are broken down by level of experience and whether the respondent was from Oregon or out of state. The results are broken down further by urban-suburban positions, small city positions and rural/isolated positions.

The October Strategy Briefing focuses on the survey findings related to the importance of the respondent's interactions with potential colleagues and perceptions of the rapport among the Special Education staff. We will discuss additional factors in the coming months.

Interactions with Potential Colleagues & Perception of Staff Rapport

A review of the literature indicates that establishing collegial relationships with colleagues is a positive factor related to educators remaining in the field and enjoying their jobs. The responses to our survey were consistent with this

The majority of respondents reported a desire to meet their potential coworkers. The impressions they gained from these initial meetings played an important role in the decision to accept a job offer. Meeting with potential colleagues who were positive and satisfied with their work environment was a strong selling point. Conversely, interacting with potential colleagues who were negative, unfriendly, or dissatisfied was equally powerful in the decision making process.

• Survey results for this area have an unusual pattern in regard to the experience level of respondents. For example, meeting potential colleagues and the sense of good Special Education staff rapport is much important to experienced Oregon special educators than it is to experienced special educators from other states. On the other hand, meeting potential colleagues and the sense of good Special Education staff relationships is much important to beginning special educators from out-of-state than beginning special educators from Oregon. Additionally, three quarters of experienced career changers found this to be very or critically important, a percent approaching that for experienced Oregon educators.
• There was basically no difference among respondents from agencies of varying size or geographical location.

Potential Implications for Policy and/or Practice:

Providing job applicants access to potential colleagues who are positive and satisfied with their current jobs can play an important role in the decision to accept a job offer. While there is no clear pattern that emerges as to which group this is most important to, structuring an interview team to include such individuals, or providing a tour where applicants can meet these staff members is an inexpensive yet powerful factor that can sway an individual to accept a job offer.