Deck 13: What Are Your Job Options in Education

Question 1

Ryan and Cooper speak of employment trends in teaching in the United States. What are the factors that affect the supply and demand of teachers?

Answer 1

Suggested answer:  Answers will vary, but students should speak about the social and economic factors that influence supply and demand, including growth of the student population, changes in pupil-teacher ratio, varying needs by geographical region, and specific subject areas. Students should recognize the dependence of public school funding on the economic well-being of the community and country. When there is an economic downturn, public school budgets suffer and teaching positions are lost. Students should also mention the current demographics of the teaching population, which will potentially lead to a large number of retirements in the near future. However, the economy will continue to play a dominant role in the availability of teaching positions.

Question 2

The shortage of minority teachers is problematic because

A) there are many minorities in urban areas.
B) many minority students have no positive minority role models.
C) too many white students do not have positive white role models.
D) minority teachers represent a disproportionately large percentage of the teaching population.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Imagine that an education professor at State U. has just received a statistical report projecting demand for teachers for the next ten years. In the report, the professor sees that there is expected to be a considerable shortage of elementary teachers in the college's geographical region. The next day, a student comes to the professor wishing to declare her major in elementary education. What information should the professor encourage the student to seek to determine the availability of a position after graduation?

Answer 3

Suggested answer: Although at times statistical reports can be helpful in determining trends, statistical data changes rapidly. Therefore, it is unwise to base a career decision solely on a review of projected teacher supply and demand. The professor should encourage the student to seek information regarding the type of shortage: minority teachers; certain subjects; certain grade levels; and the contributing factors of retirement rate, growth in student population, budget changes, etc. Finally, as the text mentions, there is never a surplus of good teachers.

Question 4

LaMar, an African American, is majoring in English at a state college. He took an education course and really enjoyed the experience and so is thinking about a teaching career after college. What are LaMar's chances of getting a teaching job when he graduates?

A) Good. The call for excellence recommends smaller class sizes, so more teachers will probably be hired.
B) Mediocre. The teaching job market does not look very promising over the next ten years.
C) Weak. There is a surplus of English teachers in most parts of the country.
D) Excellent. Minority teachers are needed in every subject area and geographical location.

Question 5

It is helpful to verify published reports on teacher supply and demand with your own research on local conditions because

A) projections are based on information that changes unpredictably.
B) published reports are inherently unreliable.
C) local communities sometimes exaggerate the facts in publications to make their community appear more desirable.
D) many communities are ignored in the broadly based statistical surveys.

Question 6

Minority teachers serve as positive role models for both minority and white students because

A) minority students develop self-esteem, and white students break stereotyping and racism.
B) white students develop self-confidence, and minority students achieve better results.
C) both minority and white students perform better academically.
D) minority students break stereotyping and teach white students minority culture.

Question 7

After ten years of working in journalism, Ellen decided to pursue a teaching career. She received her teaching license through the alternative licensing program and is currently seeking a teaching position. She has a degree in English and would like to teach middle school English in a rural school district. Which of the following will work most in her favor as she searches for a job?

A) Her willingness to teach in a rural community
B) Her status as an alternative-route teaching candidate
C) Her experience working in journalism
D) Her interest in teaching in a middle school

Question 8

The increase in teaching positions expected over the next ten years is due in part to

A) decreasing student enrollments.
B) increasing student enrollments.
C) decreasing teacher retirements.
D) increasing federal funding.

Question 9

All of the following may be components of traditional teacher licensure except

A) a bachelor's degree.
B) special examinations.
C) demonstration of competence through student test scores.
D) completion of an approved licensure program.

Question 10

Most public school teachers' salaries are still based on level of education and

A) grade level or academic subject taught.
B) additional coaching or advising activities.
C) recommendations and evaluations of administrators.
D) years of teaching experience.

Question 11

Ryan and Cooper suggest that an effective way of preparing for a job interview is to

A) do stress-relieving exercises for a week before the interview.
B) role-play the interview with a friend to practice your skill in answering questions.
C) buy a new pair of shoes.
D) talk to your college professor about job openings.

Question 12

Briefly describe the role of alternative licensure. What is its purpose? How effective has it been to date in preparing teachers?

Question 13

Recent graduates Nancy White and David Tepper were both hired by the same school district in 1994. After ten years of teaching, Nancy's salary is considerably more than David's. Which of the following most likely explains this salary difference?

A) Nancy has advised the AFS club and debate team over the course of her tenure.
B) Nancy has been awarded merit pay increases for her outstanding teaching.
C) Nancy has earned a master's degree in her field.
D) Nancy teaches high school, whereas David teaches elementary.

Question 14

Mr. Thompson, a recent college graduate targets a particular district for his job search because he knows a number of teachers are retiring and student enrollment is increasing. What other information shouldMr. Thompsonlook at that could impact whether or not he is hired?

A) The number of alternative-route certificate teaching candidates in the area
B) The pupil-teacher ratio in the schools
C) The educational level attained by most teachers in the district
D) The strength of the local school budget and the local economy

Question 15

One of the common errors in searching for a teaching position is

A) portfolios that are overwhelming.
B) individualized cover letters.
C) a passive attitude and lack of follow-through.
D) applying for too many positions.

Question 16

Which of the following has contributed to the decline in the number of minority teachers?

A) Wider recruitment of minorities in other professions and the increased use of competency testing for teachers
B) The decline of minority students enrolled in education because of the anticipated teaching surplus in the 1990s
C) The lack of respect and worth given to teachers and the increased use of alternative licensure in hiring teachers
D) The refusal of many school systems to recognize alternative licenses of teachers

Question 17

Chantal has just started college and is interested in pursuing a career in teaching. Her advisor tells her that she shouldn't have any trouble getting a job when she graduates. Why does her advisor think this?

A) Municipal funding for education is expected to increase 15 percent in the next ten years.
B) There is a shortage of teachers in every community.
C) Nearly half of the nation's teachers are expected to retire in this decade.
D) The student-teacher ratio will decrease to 15 to 1.

Question 18

Which of the following is not a suggested strategy for bringing more minorities into teaching?

A) Creating minority magnet schools
B) Higher teaching salaries
C) More valued status for teachers
D) Assistance programs for competency tests

Question 19

The text includes sobering data on the number of minority teachers in America. According to the text, the overwhelming majority of all teachers are white, and the percentage of minority teachers continues to shrink. How do minority teachers fulfill a vital role in education for students of all races, and what would be your suggestions for recruiting more minority teachers into the field?