NSTA Survey: Science Teacher Credentials,
Assignments, and Job Satisfaction
               
Random Sample
Nationwide: 5,000 Middle Level and High School Science Teachers
Respondents: 1,370 (Response Rate = 27%)
Grade Levels Survey Respondents Teach
High school 752 55%
Middle level 518 38%
Both 94 7%
         
Note: Percentages for some of the questions is this report may not add to 100%
because of "no answer," rounding, or the option for multiple responses.
How long have you been teaching?
More than 20 years 538 39%
10-15 years 274 20%
1-3 years 179 13%
4-6 years 137 10%
7-9 years 126 9%
16-20 years 111 8%
What level of education have you attained?
Master's degree 780 57%
Bachelor's degree 500 37%
Not answered 26 2%
Other 22 2%
Ph.D. 19 1%
Associate's degree 13 1%
Ph.D. in Education 10 1%
Multiple responses permitted.
In what subjects do you have regular, full-state certification to teach? (Check all that apply.)
Middle Level High School Both
General Science 385 74% 455 61% 68 72%
Biology 263 51% 518 69% 61 65%
Chemistry 150 29% 419 56% 45 48%
Physics 95 18% 224 30% 30 32%
Earth Science 165 32% 201 27% 42 45%
Environmental Science 103 20% 159 21% 26 28%
Other--Science 101 19% 104 14% 12 13%
Other--Nonscience 159 31% 134 18% 27 29%
Multiple responses permitted. Percentages are within category.
In the past three years, have you taught subjects that you have not received
at least an academic minor to teach?
Middle Level High School Both
Yes 159 31% 184 24% 41 44%
No 352 68% 561 75% 53 56%
Percentages are within category.
In the past three years, have you taught subjects that you have not received
certification to teach?
Middle Level High School Both
Yes 108 21% 141 19% 32 34%
No 398 77% 603 80% 60 64%
Percentages are within category.
Are you currently teaching subjects that you have not received at least an academic minor to teach?
Middle Level High School Both
Yes 123 24% 133 18% 30 32%
No 385 74% 607 81% 64 68%
Percentages are within category.
Are you currently teaching subjects that you have not received certification to teach?
Middle Level High School Both
Yes 83 16% 90 12% 21 22%
No 424 82% 655 87% 73 78%
Percentages are within category.
Have you ever taught a subject for which you have had no prior course work?
Middle Level High School Both
Yes 120 23% 177 24% 26 28%
No 392 76% 566 75% 68 72%
Percentages are within category.
Why were you asked to teach classes outside your main field of study? (Check all that apply.)
Assignment is a short-term solution. 1207 88%
School cannot find a qualified educator to fill a vacant position. 1112 81%
School cannot afford to hire a new teacher to fill a vacant position. 1064 78%
All responses combined.
Has your school or school district experienced a frequent turnover of science teachers
(i.e., teachers leaving the profession or migrating to another school)?
School
Yes 479 35%
No 829 61%
District
Yes 473 35%
No 617 45%
All responses combined.
How is your school currently filling science teaching positions that become vacant
before or near the beginning of the school year?
Rank order all that apply, with 1 = "most frequent hiring practice."
Average
Hire a new teacher who has an academic degree in the discipline. 1.2
Hire a new teacher who does not have an academic degree in the discipline. 2.6
Assign classes to a current teacher who is not prepared to teach the discipline (i.e., educator 2.9
does not have an academic degree or certification in the discipline).
Assign classes to a current teacher who is prepared to teach the discipline. 2.0
Hire a long-term substitute. 2.6
Don't know/have no opinion. 1.3
All responses combined.
Has your school experienced difficulty finding qualified science teachers
to fill vacant science teaching positions?
Middle Level High School Both
Yes 251 48% 455 61% 55 59%
No 243 47% 273 36% 33 35%
Percentages are within category.
If yes, why? (Check all that apply.)
There are not enough qualified teachers in geographic area. 1149 84%
School does not offer competitive salary to attract qualified teachers. 1052 77%
School does not have effective recruiting activities/resources. 832 61%
School has poor image and cannot attract qualified teachers. 774 57%
All responses combined.
Does your school offer incentives to attract qualified candidates
for vacant science teaching positions?
Yes 108 8%
No 1210 88%
All responses combined.
Are you currently considering leaving the teaching profession?
Years of Experience in Teaching
1–3 4–6 7–9 10–15 16–20 Over 20
Yes 58 32% 51 37% 41 33% 101 37% 32 29% 239 44%
No 116 65% 85 62% 78 62% 167 61% 78 70% 282 52%
If yes, for what reasons? (Check all that apply.)
1–3 4–6 7–9 10–15 16–20 Over 20
Dissatisfaction with job 163 91% 118 86% 115 91% 231 84% 101 91% 399 74%
Retirement 123 69% 84 61% 85 67% 184 67% 83 75% 475 88%
To pursue another career 150 84% 112 82% 103 82% 211 77% 93 84% 341 63%
Other 135 75% 101 74% 96 76% 201 73% 86 77% 312 58%
Family/personal reasons 132 74% 95 69% 90 71% 189 69% 83 75% 305 57%
School staffing action 127 71% 89 65% 89 71% 181 66% 80 72% 297 55%
Multiple responses permitted. Percentages are within category.
If you checked dissatisfaction with the job, indicate the reasons for your dissatisfaction.
Rank order your top three choices, with 1 = top reason.
Years of Experience in Teaching
1–3 4–6 7–9 10–15 16–20 Over 20
Poor salary 2 1 2 1 3
Poor administrative support 1 2 1 1 2 1
Student discipline problems 3 3 3 1 2
Lack of faculty influence and autonomy 1 3
Poor student motivation 2 2
No opportunity for professional advancement
Class size too large 2 3
Lack of professional development