The argument is presented that men do not avoid careers in early childhood education simply because they lack commitment to or care little for young children; rather, they avoid such work because economic conditions in early childhood education are poor and the potential of men to contribute to the field is not well understood by educators.…

Because Florida and the nation face a shortage of teachers, the Education Standards Commission designed a questionnaire "Teaching as a Career" to identify those aspects of teaching that are appealing and unappealing to Florida high school students (sophomores and seniors at public and private schools) and to learn what changes in the teaching…

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…

Discusses definitions of "career" showing how the traditional concept is male oriented. Reports data from an eight-month study of women elementary school teachers that suggests the traditional ways of evaluating short- and long-term work commitments do not do justice to the reality of women's commitments. (MD)

Two tests are provided for those considering a teaching career: (1) a one-question, multiple-choice examination in which the respondent is informed of the status of public school education, and (2) an eight-question test that measures the effectiveness of teacher education programs that aspiring teachers may attend. (CJ)

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)

The current mathematics teacher shortage appears to be caused by three major reasons: (1) declining attraction of teaching as a profession; (2) increased competition for mathematics-trained personnel by private industry; and (3) changing social expectations, particularly for women. Five suggestions to help solve this problem are given. (MP)

Cultural, religious, and economic factors limited Nigerian women's involvement in teaching until the mid-19th century. Now, increasing recruitment of women by teachers' colleges has pushed enrollment above men's. However, this is primarily not due to improved access or growing interest but to the desire to use teaching certificates for entry into…

Describes the following four conceptions of teaching and discusses each in the context of quality management and evaluation in universities today: (1) performance, enactments, and engagement, including long-term appraisal; (2) industrial production, including product standards; (3) professional practice; and (4) personal calling or vocation.…

The alternative school movement is a threat to the traditional educational system, as well it should be. The traditionalists see that, and fear it. Lower enrollment, nonexistent discipline, absence of learning with respect to declining test scores and evaluation measures, disrespect for teachers by students, administrators, and parents, low…

This study explores how twenty-eight women graduates of a liberal arts college renegotiate personal and professional identities over a ten year period. Approximately half of these women entered college planning to pursue a career in medicine; the other half indicated some interest in the field of education. Each participant was interviewed six…

The 1991 movie Thelma and Louise and its protagonists continue to be cultural icons for many women of all ages. With quotations, song lyrics, the metaphor of the edge from the film, and collected wisdom from pedagogy, two religious educators reflect on their vocations and leadership drawing implications for the teaching ministry. The themes…

This article examines the impact of entry costs on the likelihood that recent college graduates will become public school teachers. I combine "Barron's" ratings of college selectivity, data on the types of teacher certification programs offered by colleges, and NELS data that track members of the high school class of 1988 into college and into the…

This article reports on an investigation into the motivations of a cohort of pre-service teacher education students, undertaking a five-year, full-time combined undergraduate and initial teacher education degree program at the University of Sydney, Australia. Participants completed an extensive questionnaire which sought to gather data on the…

This paper focuses on a cohort of B.Ed. students' understandings about social difference and social justice as recorded in their professional journals in the first semester of third year. It shows that their reasons for choosing teaching as a career, reflections on their school experiences and discussions about future students are grounded in the…