The Next Generation of Teachers: A Study of Interest in the Teaching Profession

Abstract

The landscape of the teaching profession in the United States is transforming, marked by declining interest among high school students in pursuing careers in education. This brief examines interest in teaching careers among high school students and labor market trends among our newest teachers, with a specific focus on the southeastern United States. Through descriptive analyses of statewide administrative data and surveys, this study highlights how interest in a career in education has shifted in terms of high school students’ aspirations to pursue a career in teaching, as well as recent trends in preparation pathways among newly hired educators.

Suggested Citation

Ellison, A. & Smith, T. (2024). The next generation of teachers: A study of interest in the teaching profession. (Tennessee Education Research Alliance Working Paper No. 2024-01).