Objectives:

When you finish studying this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Identify the characteristics of a full profession.
2. Describe why teaching may not be considered a full profession and is sometimes referred to as a semiprofession or an emerging profession.
3. Explain why it is essential for teachers to (a) develop a body of knowledge for education, (b) gain control over entry and licensing requirements, (c) increase autonomy in their work, and (d) require higher salaries in order for teaching to be considered a full profession.
4. Identify current trends in education that enhance the professionalization of teaching.
5. Analyze how staff development, merit pay, and school-based management help or hinder the professionalization of teaching.
6. Describe the role played by teacher organizations in improving the working conditions of teachers.
7. Identify similarities and differences between the NEA and the AFT.
8. List several professional organizations and choose which ones coincide with your interests as a prospective teacher.

Focus and Refocus Questions:

When you finish studying this chapter, you should be able to answer the following questions from your textbook:

Focus Questions

• What trends show that teaching is becoming a full-fledged profession?
• In what ways is teaching not fully a profession?
• How does merit pay help or hinder the teaching profession?
• What are the goals and activities of the two main professional organizations, the NEA and the AFT?
• What are some other important professional organizations for teachers?
• What professional organizations might education students and beginning teachers join?

Refocus Questions

• Which of the preceding areas of professionalism-a defined body of knowledge, control of licensing and entry, autonomy in decision making, or high prestige and economic standing-is most important to your personal definition of a profession? Is it important to you that teaching seems to lag behind other professions in these areas? Why or why not?
• How do you believe that you'll be affected by movements toward increasing professionalism in teaching? Will you look for a position in a school that makes a strong effort to help new teachers? How would you feel about a mediated entry program similar to that in the medical profession, which included "intern" and "resident" teacher levels, before you become a full-fledged professional teacher?
• Which goals and activities seem more appealing to you, those of the NEA or those of the AFT? Why?
• Which of the professional organizations listed in this chapter hold the most interest for you? Which might be useful to join later in your career? How can you find out more information about professional organizations in which you are interested?