The article examines data collected from six primary schools in the ESRC Project: Primary Teacher Identity, Commitment and Career in Performative Cultures, and compares it to classic analyses of teacher commitment made by Dan Lortie and Jennifer Nias in order to assess continuity and change. The "mission" to teach is still there, as is…

At the turn of the century, there was a widespread perception on the part of pupils, teachers, and policy makers that a "problem with school music" existed, particularly at the secondary level. It was hypothesized that one contributory factor was the perceived authenticity of "school music" in relation to "music outside…

Distinctive styles of client decision-making have emerged from case study research into the effectiveness of career guidance. This paper explores some findings from the third year of a longitudinal study currently underway in England, which relate to the ways clients approach transition points in their careers and make the decisions that move them…

One of the defining characteristics of countries, such as the United Kingdom, with low social mobility are stark, persistent gaps in the school results between children from deprived backgrounds and their more advantaged counterparts. Far from acting as the great social leveler, education systems can perpetuate inequalities, and enable the…

British secondary students (n=342) revealed largely stereotypical views of school subjects. Such views were associated with sex stereotyped attitudes toward occupations and roles. Boys showed much more bias in subject choices, and those choosing "masculine" subjects were more likely to support traditional sex roles. (SK)

Tested aspects of Super's self-concept theory of career development with a sample of British schoolchildren (N=355). Results showed that agreement between ideal self-concepts and occupational preference concepts was significantly greater than that between actual self-concepts and occupational preference concepts, reflecting the youngsters' greater…

An ethnographic study of British professional football (soccer) Youth Trainees shows how the attitudes and practices regarding education and work of a distinct subculture affect those who sought preparation for postfootball careers through educational development. Within the subculture, college attendance was regarded as unmanly and threatening to…

A British study of 410 students in years 6, 10, and 12 categorized their occupational choices and parents' occupations as traditional/customary, high-status, or lottery (jobs relying on luck, chance, or talent spotting). Students appeared to focus on high-status or lottery jobs and were not inclined toward careers in which most parents were…

Analyzes statistical results obtained from a survey of employment of chemists from 1968 to 1972. Indicates that a combined or interdisciplinary scientific program is preferred to a single subject course to provide graduates with opportunities to turn to miscellaneous appointments. (CC)

Discusses the issue of gender in relation to England's National Curriculum and associated assessment and testing. The new curriculum is technology based and vocationally oriented. Foresees difficulties in providing gender-equal education unless more attention is given to the differing interests and goals of boys and girls. (DM)

Offers insights into how a group of secondary science teachers came to enter the field of teaching. Suggests that the decision to teach is the outcome of a number of unpredictable and contingent factors. Includes 22 references. (DDR)

Explored British student teachers' views about their choice of elementary school teaching as a career. Data from surveys and interviews indicated that virtually all respondents had always wanted to teach, enjoyed working with children, felt that teaching brought job satisfaction, and considered teaching a good career that would be challenging.…

Three theories of commitment were tested by surveying 92 nursing students 3 times during their first year. The social exchange approach and unmet expectations about nursing careers influenced commitment during the latter eight months. The circumstances surrounding the decision to enter nurse training (behavioral approach) predicted commitment only…

A British study of 93 male and 35 female students taking advanced-level (A-level) physics showed that females who had chosen to pursue A-levels tended to have higher ability, preferred contextualized teaching and learning, and were more person oriented in their career choices. (SK)

In this paper I address the question: How is it that people come to choose mathematics and in what ways is this process gendered? I draw on the findings of a qualitative research study involving interviews with 43 young people all studying mathematics in post-compulsory education in England. Working within a post-structuralist framework, I argue…