The Unvalued Teaching Profession: International Evidence of Semiprofessionalization in Society's Value for Teaching

• In Event: Red Tape: Worldwide Impediments Toward Successful Education

Abstract

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development hosts the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) of teachers. In one of the most surprising findings revealed is that 7-in-10 teachers do not perceive teaching to be a valued profession. These perceptions are not concentrated in a few countries. As countries around the world struggle to improve the quality of their education systems, policymakers are rightly concerned that such a phenomenon would affect recruitment and retention of teachers. After description of the variation on value of teaching across countries, this study identifies four areas of teacher professionalization that explain variation on this outcome. Policy implications are discussed.

Authors

• Heather E. Price, University of Notre Dame

• Kristen Weatherby, Institute of Education - London