Concerns are mounting about the attraction and retention of teachers in Australian schools. This study draws upon a questionnaire of 2444 Australian primary and secondary school teachers, which revealed that only 41% of respondents intended to remain in the profession. Through a thematic analysis of the qualitative data within the questionnaire,…

Teacher attrition is a current issue in Australia and other economically developed countries, with up to 50 per cent of teachers resigning from teaching within the first five years. Teacher attrition is widely considered to impact negatively on student achievement and the school. The present study of 160 Australian primary and secondary teachers…

This study aimed to examine the relationships among prospective teachers' interest in teaching, professional engagement and career development aspirations, and career choice satisfaction. A total of 602 prospective teachers from various primary (for example, primary school teaching) and secondary (for example, English language teaching) teacher…

Teacher attrition is a cost to the community and, often, to the teachers concerned. One ready potential source of teachers is those having left the profession, particularly recently, and who may be willing to return. For this article, 22 former teachers were interviewed about their journey into and out of teaching. Understanding what made teachers…

Education as an institution fulfils the key social functions of promulgation of knowledge and the development of future citizens. Rather than these key functions earning it respect, education and its practitioners are the targets of criticism and what Labaree calls "scorn". This article seeks to progress the work done by Labaree on the origins of…

Evaluates the first wave of professional standards for teaching in Australia and concludes that the standards are characterized by long lists of duties, opaque language, generic skill descriptions, definitions of decontextualized performances, an expanded range of teacher duties, and weak assessments. Proposes improvements for a second wave of…

A concept of professionalism is proposed that distinguishes the professional elements of teaching and establishes in what areas philosophy of education might make an effective contribution to teachers' professional development. Sociological literature on the formal characteristics of a profession are discussed and four dimensions of teaching are…

A commentary that refutes teachers' loss of control, autonomy, and professionalism in New Zealand is criticized, using evidence of rapid redefinition of the teaching profession in both New Zealand and Australia. In addition, the commentary is seen as dangerous if accepted by teachers, offering false hope and suppressing important issues.…

In this article the status of teaching as a profession and the morale of teachers in Australian schools in the current era provide a framework for the examination of the intent and outcomes of teaching excellence awards. The research study applied an interpretive research paradigm and used both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.…

Research on teacher effectiveness that only takes account of teacher behaviors is seen as likely to be unproductive. What is needed is study of teacher actions which requires that intentions, beliefs, and reasonings be considered since the classroom is a complex interactive realm. (MLW)

Australian teachers' legal liability for damage suffered by students because of incompetent or careless teaching is examined and compared with the American situation. Educational negligence is discussed as an emerging dimension to the movement toward accountability for educational outcomes. Teachers are warned to eliminate practices that may…

Research on teaching has contributed few generalizations to guide teachers either directly or indirectly through its influence on the content of teacher education programs. Research involving practicing teachers, teacher trainees, and educational researchers working together on projects articulated with professional courses promises more than…

It is suggested that although teaching as a profession does not presuppose an attitude of professionalism as some other professions do, teachers have opportunities to act professionally. These opportunities are expanded by teacher exposure to curriculum analysis, organizational principles, and local faculty development opportunities. (MSE)

Allegations that the most able teachers intend to leave teaching were challenged by qualitative and quantitative data collected from prospective teachers completing their credentialling diploma at the University of Queensland. A multiple classification analysis showed that those who were confident of promotion, committed to and satisfied by…

A longitudinal study looked at selected student-teacher characteristics (role perception, commitment, work satisfaction) and the extent of change in them during transition to beginning teacher. Contrary to expectations, the data showed considerable stability, calling into question theories of new teachers'"reality shock." (MSE)