Results are presented of a study describing an attitude profile of undergraduate students at entry level in a teacher preparation program at West Virginia University. The study sought to identify attitudes and levels of commitment with which young people enter preparation for the profession of teaching. Questions addressed are: (1) What is the…

A study investigated why students who entered the college of education at Ohio University voluntarily withdrew from teacher education later to pursue a different major. The effects of teacher education curriculum and other factors in their decision to leave were explored. (PP)

A survey of 381 female college students with interests or majors in elementary- or secondary-level teaching found that college experience did not change or broaden their career goals. Further, the percentage who expected career goals to become secondary to familial goals increased the farther ahead they predicted their futures. (RW)

Supports the hypothesis that psychologically androgynous individuals might be more likely to base teaching level choice upon individual preference without regard for its stereotype. Data collected from preservice teachers showed that, while feminine females were more apt to choose elementary teaching, masculine males were more apt to choose…

The purpose of this study was to determine how many of the Junior Division students at the Baton Rouge Campus of Louisiana State University who had expressed an interest in majoring in education in 1975 had actually begun studies in 1976, had switched to other majors, or had not continued beyond the first year. Comparisons were made (1) between…

In 1986, 197 education majors at three universities were surveyed in a study of preservice teachers' perceptions of their chosen career, both in terms of professional commitment and of the level of desirability for their children to become teachers). Results are summarized. (JL)

This study compared 258 teacher candidates with 146 non-teaching majors with regard to background and career plans. Results indicate no difference in academic achievement between the groups. However, factors considered in career choices differ, as do perceptions of teaching. The findings are discussed. (MT)

A major cause of the current teacher shortage is declining enrollment of students into schools of education. Low pay, low status, poor working conditions, and lack of career opportunities keep many people from entering the teaching profession. (DF)

A survey of college students preparing to become teachers was conducted to ascertain why the students had decided to become teachers. The reasons given included: the service motive, an interest in children, and an interest in performing in a leadership role. (JN)

Data indicate continued sex-role differentiation in perceptions of work outcomes independently of both occupational level and year of graduation. Younger graduates, regardless of sex, were less likely to be concerned with personal development through work and long-range career factors. (Author)

Questionnaires from undergraduate students with a declared major in special education showed 41 percent had at least one handicapped individual in their family background. Perceptions of special education were influenced by academic rank, academic concentration, and personal experiences with the handicapped. (Author)

Factors that influenced 157 students at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and 176 at the University of Cyprus to become teachers were compared. The factor "internal motives" was the strongest factor that influenced students from PSU, whereas the most influential factors for students from Cyprus were "variety of benefits" and…

A study was conducted (follow-up to SP 004 600) of the 1,186 recipients of the Ed.D. and Ph.D. degrees in education in the United States in 1958. Questionnaire data was collected to investigate 5-year career development and job satisfaction plus ability and achievement (as measured by high school graduating class rank, intelligence test scores,…

Identifies and compares the factors that have motivated 176 third-and fourth-year students at the University of Cyprus to choose the elementary school teaching profession. Six factors accounted for 63.3% of the variance: (1) internal motives; (2) job benefits; (3) status of the profession; (4) relatives' influence; (5) external motives; and (6)…

Argues that despite the currently tight job market for beginning teachers, education remains an important sector of the liberal arts curriculum. The legitimacy of balanced offerings in the humanistic foundations, behavioral sciences and professional courses is discussed and career alternatives for education majors are listed. (JT)