Eric.ed.gov – Why Potential Science and Math Teachers Are Choosing Not to Teach–And What We Can Do about It.

The factors which discourage prospective teachers from pursuing teaching careers are examined in this study. College freshmen from a medium-sized engineering university in the Midwest were selected to participate in the investigation. Based on responses to a questionnaire, these students were grouped as “teaching oriented” and “non-teaching oriented.” Reasons for not teaching given by the “teaching oriented” students (N=20) included, in order of priority: (1) low salary; (2) not wanting to do the typical things that teachers do each day; (3) concern for job security; (4) low maximum salaries after years of work; and (5) poor job availability. The findings of this study confirm concerns about the level of teaching salaries as a major deterrent to prospective teachers. It was also stated that increased guidance counselor encouragement might add to the number of “teacher oriented” students who would pursue teaching careers. Appendices contain the survey forms used in the study. (ML)