Teacher Education and the Choice for a Career in Teaching: A Predictive Study

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Teacher Commitment, Retention, and Staffing in the United States and Abroad

Abstract

This study identifies the predictors of teacher education graduates’ choice on job entry (teaching profession or not). A prospective research design with two data collection phases is adopted. Student teachers (subsequently graduates) (n = 217) of teacher training for secondary education were surveyed shortly before as well as shortly after graduation. Results of Chi-square and t-tests indicate that sex, initial motivation for teaching, mentor support, teacher education preparation, teacher efficacy, learner-oriented beliefs, and employment opportunities show differences (at 1% level) between graduates who entered versus not entered the teaching profession. The subsequent logistic regression analysis validates the importance of teacher education (i.e. mentor support) – beside initial motivation and labour market factors – to explain graduates’ decision on job entry.

Authors

• Isabel Rots, Ghent University

• Antonia Aelterman, Ghent University

• Geert Devos, Ghent University