The Dynamics of Parent-Teacher Communication, Professional Autonomy, and Teacher Well-Being: Evidence From Korea PISA 2022

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Navigating the Possibilities and Paradoxes of Parent and Family Engagement and Partnerships (Table 2)

Abstract

Decentralization and neoliberalism have reshaped power dynamics between parents and teachers, leading to a decline in the status and well-being of the teaching profession. The tragic suicide of a novice teacher in South Korea in 2023, attributed to parental pressure, underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between parent-teacher communication, professional autonomy, and teacher well-being. Drawing on data from the Programme for International Student Assessment 2022 in Korea, we find a negative association between hours of communication with parents and teachers’ job/life satisfaction, negatively moderated by teacher autonomy. Given the recent events in Korea and the growing influence of parents on parent-teacher dynamics globally, we provide timely and valuable insights for promoting safe and effective relationships between parents and teachers.

Authors

• Soobin Choi, The Education University of Hong Kong

• Sangmin Park, University of Missouri