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Certification standards and science teacher supply
Abstract
This study examined the hypothesis that certification standards rather than salary are used to influence science teacher supply. The independent variables in this study were science teacher certification standards, reciprocity pacts, Alternative Certification and teacher salary. A 14 item survey sent by Fax to the 50 states and the District of Columbia collected data on science teacher supply and broad-field science endorsements. The return rate was 96%. This study also used data compiled by other researchers. Descriptive statistics were used to make regional comparisons of science teacher supply and broad-field endorsements, and to compare science teacher supply in 1982 and 1992. Relationships between teacher supply and the independent variables were determined using Spearman's rho. There were several major conclusions in this study. Nationally, there were net shortages of physics, chemistry, earth science, and physical science teachers, and a net surplus of biology teachers. Overall, the supply of science teachers has improved dramatically in the last 10 years, in all subjects and in all regions. Significant positive correlations were found between science teacher supply in one or more science subjects and the existence of a broad-field endorsement; number of hours of science required for a broad-field science endorsement; number of subjects covered by a broad-field endorsement; and number of states in a state's reciprocity pact. A significant negative correlation was found between science teacher supply in several science subjects and the existence of Alternative Certification. Teacher salary index (average teacher salary divided by average per capita income) was remarkably uniform and no significant differences were found among regions of the country. A significant negative correlation was found between salary index and teacher supply in several science subjects. This study provided evidence that states react to shortages or surpluses of science teachers by raising or lowering certification standards in lieu of salary. Since this study was exploratory, these conclusions are only presumptive. If corroborated by further study, this practice must be curtailed for national efforts to improve teacher quality to be successful.
Subject Area
Science education|Teacher education|Education history
Recommended Citation
Hudson, Sharon Pullen, "Certification standards and science teacher supply" (1992). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9308180.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9308180