Survey of American College Students 2022: Interest in Teaching in Early Childhood Programs or Grammar Schools

Students Raised in Southern US were Significantly More Interested in Pursuing Teacher Certification Than Those Raised Elsewhere

This study presents data from a survey of 1,765 full time college students at 4 year colleges in the USA about the level of interest in pursuing teacher certification, teaching in early childhood education programs, or teaching in grammar schools. The data in the report helps its reader to pinpoint student interest in these areas, with specific data sets for interest in teacher certification, early childhood education and grammar schools.

Just a few of this 70-page report’s many findings are that:

Students raised in the US South were significantly more interested in pursuing teacher certification than those raised elsewhere.
Students interested in early childhood education had disproportionately high levels of student debt.
Apart from students already studying education on the undergraduate level, students studying social science or performing arts were the most interested in careers in early childhood education.
Data is broken out by more than 20 institutional and personal variables including but not limited to: income of family of origin, race/ethnicity, religion, gender, regional origins, current employment status, sexual orientation, major field of study, age, year of school standing, type of college, size of college, tuition level of college, and many other variables.

1. The Questionnaire

Characteristics of the sample

2. Summary of Main Findings

Interest in Pursuing Teacher Certification
Interest in Teaching Early Childhood Education
Interest in Teaching K-8 Education
Table 1.1 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future?
Table 1.2 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by age
Table 1.3 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by population density of place of origin
Table 1.4 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by geographic region of origin
Table 1.5 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by student school year
Table 1.6 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by annual income of family of origin
Table 1.7 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 1.8 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by political views
Table 1.9 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by college grades
Table 1.10 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by field of study
Table 1.11 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by gender
Table 1.12 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by current housing situation
Table 1.13 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by current employment status
Table 1.14 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 1.15 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by SAT or ACT scores
Table 1.16 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 1.17 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by religion
Table 1.18 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by expected student debt at graduation
Table 1.19 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by self-assessment of certainty of career plans
Table 1.20 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by public or private college
Table 1.21 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by enrollment
Table 1.22 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by Carnegie class or type of college
Table 1.23 How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 2 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields.
Table 2.1.1 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education
Table 2.1.2 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by age
Table 2.1.3 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by population density of place of origin
Table 2.1.4 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by geographic region of origin
Table 2.1.5 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by student school year
Table 2.1.6 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by annual income of family of origin
Table 2.1.7 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.1.8 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by political views
Table 2.1.9 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by college grades
Table 2.1.10 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by field of study
Table 2.1.11 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by gender
Table 2.1.12 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by current housing situation
Table 2.1.13 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by current employment status
Table 2.1.14 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.1.15 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by SAT or ACT scores
Table 2.1.16 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.1.17 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by religion
Table 2.1.18 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by expected student debt at graduation
Table 2.1.19 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by self-assessment of certainty of career plans
Table 2.1.20 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.1.21 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by enrollment
Table 2.1.22 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by Carnegie class or type of college
Table 2.1.23 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: Early Childhood Education Broken out by tuition, $
Table 2.2.1 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education
Table 2.2.2 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by age
Table 2.2.3 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by population density of place of origin
Table 2.2.4 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by geographic region of origin
Table 2.2.5 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by student school year
Table 2.2.6 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by annual income of family of origin
Table 2.2.7 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by relationship with organized religion
Table 2.2.8 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by political views
Table 2.2.9 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by college grades
Table 2.2.10 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by field of study
Table 2.2.11 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by gender
Table 2.2.12 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by current housing situation
Table 2.2.13 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by current employment status
Table 2.2.14 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by sexual orientation
Table 2.2.15 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by SAT or ACT scores
Table 2.2.16 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by race or ethnicity
Table 2.2.17 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by religion
Table 2.2.18 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by expected student debt at graduation
Table 2.2.19 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by self-assessment of certainty of career plans
Table 2.2.20 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.2.21 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by enrollment
Table 2.2.22 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by Carnegie class or type of college
Table 2.2.23 If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields: K-8 Education Broken out by tuition, $

Samples

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Executive Summary

The Questionnaire

1. Please fill in the following contact information.

A. Name:
B. Name of College that You Attend:
C. Email Address:

2. How old are you? (answer in number of years) e.g. "19" or "23" Do not include fractions or descriptive phrases such as "years old"

3. Choose the phrase which best describes where you grew up before you went to college. If more than one answer applies to you, choose the one that you feel best reflects who you believe that you are.

A. I grew up in a major city with more than 350,000 people
B. I grew up in a small or medium sized city with less than 350,000 people.
C. I grew up in a suburban area
D. I grew up in a rural area.

4. I grew up mostly in:

A. The South
B. The Northeast
C. The Midwest
D. The West
E. Abroad

5. This semester I am a:

A. First Year Student
B. Sophomore
C. Junior
D. Senior

6. The approximate annual income level of my family of origin (your Mom & Dad or legal guardian) was:

For students over the age of 40 use your current family income.

A. Less than $50,000 per year
B. $50,000 to $90,000 per year
C. $90,000+ to $150,000 per year
D. $150.000+ to $250.000 per year
E. More than $250,000 per year

7. How would you describe your relationship with organized religion?

A. I practice a religion thoroughly and consider my religion to be a very important part of my life.
B. I practice a religion and try to attend regular services and to participate as much as I can.
C. I identify with a religion but can't say I put a lot of effort into practicing it.
D. I don't really believe in or practice an organized religion.

8. Choose the phrase that best describes your political views:

A. Very Left Wing
B. Liberal
C. Middle of the Road
D. Conservative
E. Very Right Wing

9. Which phrase best describes your college academic performance? (If you have not yet received any grades choose what your tests and other experiences suggest will be your grades)

A. A or A- average or more
B. B or B+ average
C. C or C+ average
D. D or D+ average or less

10. Choose the phrase that best describes your academic major or likely major:

A. Business, Economics or Finance
B. Fine Arts and Architecture
C. Music, Dance, Theater, other Performing Arts
D. English, Foreign Languages, Comp Literature, Creative Writing
E. Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Pre-Med
F. Geology, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences
G. Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science
H. Philosophy, Theology
I. History, Classics
J. Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology or other Social Science, except Economics and Psychology
K. Psychology
L. Education or Library Science
M. Criminology/Law Enforcement
N. Occupational or Physical Therapy, Nursing, Public Health, Nutrition, Other Health-Related
O. Communications, Media, Journalism
P. Other (please specify)

11. You are:

A. Male
B. Female
C. Transgender

12. Currently you live:

A. At home with my parents or guardian
B. Off campus with others who are not my parents or guardian
C. Off campus alone
D. In fraternity or sorority supplied housing
E. On campus in the dorms or college-provided suites

13. Which phrase best describes your current employment situation:

A. I don't have a full or part time job.
B. I have a part time job.
C. I have a full time job.

14. Which phrase best describes your sexual orientation?

A. Heterosexual or "straight"
B. Homosexual or "gay"
C. Bi-sexual

15. Which category best captures your highest overall SAT or ACT score? The SAT score is based on the new 1600 point standard so if you were tested under the old 2400 point standard it would be 2/3 of this score.

A. 30 or over ACT or 1350 or over SAT
B. 24-29 ACT or 1170 to 1349 SAT
C. 20-23 ACT or 1050 to 1169 SAT
D. 17-19 ACT or 900 to 1050 SAT
E. 16 or Under ACT or Under 900 SAT
F. Never Took Either Test

16. Which phrase best describes your racial or ethnic identity?

A. White or Caucasian
B. Black or African American
C. Latino or Hispanic
D. Asian or Asian American
E. American Indigenous, Eskimo, Pacific Islander, Hawaiian Native
F. Mixed Race

17. What do you expect will be your total accumulated student loan debt when you graduate your undergraduate institution?

A. Nothing Really
B. Less than $20,000
C. $20,000 to $35,000
D. $35,000+ to $55,000
E. $55,000+ to $85,000
F. More than $85,000

18. How likely are you to pursue some form of teacher certification at some point in the future?

A. Highly unlikely
B. Unlikely
C. Possibly
D. Likely
E. Highly Likely
F. I have already applied

19. If you are interested at all in a career in education, rate your level of interest in each of the following fields

Early Childhood Education
- Not at all interested
- A little interested
- Somewhat interested
- Interested
- Very interested
K-8 Education
- Not at all interested
- A little interested
- Somewhat interested
- Interested
- Very interested

Methodology