Teachers' Perceptions of School Choice and Its Impact on Their Professional Lives: A Qualitative Study

• In Event: 69.042 - Teacher Identity and Practice in the Context of Neoliberal Reforms

Abstract

Although school choice reform efforts have resulted in a number of different types of schools (e.g., charters, magnets, voucher programs), little research examines how the growing school choice landscape influences teachers’ professional lives. This qualitative case study of 26 teachers in one rural Texas county contributes to the literature by highlighting how teachers perceive and respond to this changing environment. Initial analysis of data from semi-structured interviews suggests that teachers perceive school choice to be the purview of parents, are not influenced by inter-school competitive pressure, but did identify a number of ways in which school type affected their work lives. These findings should be taken into account by teacher educators and policymakers.

Authors

• Heather K. Olson Beal, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Brent D. Beal, The University of Texas - Tyler

• Susie Cox, University of Arkansas