In an era of teacher shortages, what would motivate individuals to become teachers when the demands on teachers are greater than ever and there are plenty of alternative occupations from which to choose? This paper presents the findings of a study of student teachers' motivations to be primary teachers and their commitment to teaching after their…

Recent research suggests that occupational status is crucial in determining women's and men's occupational preferences. To examine individuals' reactions to occupations that varied in status and sex-typing, 184 college students (102 females, 82 males) rated items in the Career Expectations Booklet. Subjects indicated their affective reactions,…

Determined how 430 eighth-grade students perceived science teaching as a career. One area investigated was the relationship between student ratings of science teaching as a career and such variables as sex, race, age, educational aspirations, and mother's/father's education and job type. (JN)

Self-definition is a thought pattern, scored from imaginative fantasy, which is related to constructive behavioral independence of social norms. Research has shown that self-definition seems related to the opportunity for operant initiative-taking, especially when active and less sex-stereotyped activities are chosen. Senior college women (N=118)…

The under-representation of females in mathematical careers persists despite the fact that in recent years, gender differences in mathematics achievement and participation in mathematics coursework at the high school level have virtually disappeared. This bulletin presents research findings and discusses gender differences in mathematics…

Using National Longitudinal Survey data for 1966-68 and 1979, this study explores possible differences between Black and White, and male and female, youths' educational and occupational goals and determines whether these differences have changed. Not only were occupational and educational goals related, but sex and race differences do exist and…

This research evaluated the desirability of science teaching as a career as rated by eighth grade students. An instrument was developed on which respondents placed their own choice of best and worst possible careers as endpoints on a 10 point scale. Forty-five additional careers, including careers in science teaching, science, and teaching of…

Women continue to be underrepresented in scientific and business careers, yet little is known about the impact of women's school experiences on their career development. To investigate how educational institutions encourage and discourage women entering scientific and business careers, 50 female college seniors in these majors were interviewed and…

This study tested fear of success in women against the competing hypothesis that the interpersonal consequences of deviation from culturally prescribed sex roles restrict women's achievement in traditionally masculine fields. Results suggest that individuals, especially women, who strive to achieve in nontraditional fields may suffer negative…

In addition to an "Introduction" (Gonon, et. al), there are these 18 essays: "Women and Men in Swiss Vocational Education (Borkowsy); "Women in Basic and Advanced Training" (Grossenbacher); "How Constitutional Change and Legal Reform Projects Foster Equal Opportunities in the Fields of Vocational Education and Higher…

This study describes the changes in demographic characteristics of beginning teachers who entered the profession between 1956-57 and 1976. Existing literature on beginning teachers is examined to construct an image of the changes that have occurred among those choosing teaching careers. National and statewide samples are reviewed; however,…

An analysis of data on teachers indicates coming changes in recruitment and retention of the American teaching force, in the quality of teachers, and in the attractiveness of teaching as a profession. New recruits to teaching are less academically qualified than those who are leaving, and shortages of qualified teachers in subjects such as…

Investigates and compares the effects of motivation for service on persistence in teaching among teachers in the 1960s and 1970s. With the exception of women in the 1960s (when few alternative careers were available), frustration among service-oriented teachers led to low levels of teacher persistence. (MJP)

The following 14 papers, with abstracts and references, are compiled in this conference proceedings: "Exploring the Roles and Duties of Vocational Special Needs Educators" (Melanie Fagert); "Professional Competencies for Provisionally Licensed Career and Technical Education Teachers in Virginia" (Betty Heath-Camp, Daisy L.…