Survey finds many teachers 'disheartened'
Forty percent of kindergarten through 12th grade teachers in the United States, or two out of five, are disheartened and disappointed about their jobs, survey research by Public Agenda and Learning Point Associates shows.
The nationwide study, first reported in Education Week, is called “Teaching for a Living: How Teachers See the Profession Today.”
The study was based on a survey that asked almost 900 teachers more than 100 questions. Based on their answers, survey respondents fell into three broad categories that researchers call the “Disheartened,” the “Contented” and the “Idealists.” The “Contented” group accounted for 37 percent of respondents, while 23 percent were considered “Idealists.”
The “Disheartened” and “Contented” groups both comprised older and more experienced teachers than the “Idealists,” but their attitudes differed.
Those in the “Disheartened” group were much more likely than the other groups to talk about burnout and to voice high levels of frustration about school administration, disorder in the classroom and undue focus on testing. More than half of this group teaches in low-income schools.
Most of the “Contented” teachers, however, said their schools are orderly and safe, and they are satisfied with their administrators. About two-thirds teach in middle-income or affluent schools.
The “Idealists” tended to be younger and less committed to a lifetime career in the classroom, although many want to stay in education. Overwhelmingly, they said helping underprivileged children was what motivated them to become teachers.
October 21, 2009