Question 1

Which of the following was one of the major effects of school desegregation on teachers during the decade after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision?
A) Many black teachers lost their jobs.
B) The demand for black teachers rose sharply.
C) Educational requirements for teachers were lowered.
D) There was a massive departure of white teachers from the field.

Accepted Answer

One major effect of school desegregation on teachers was that many black teachers lost their jobs. Desegregation led to the closing of many black schools and the firing of black teachers who made up the majority of the faculty at those schools. This was a result of the integration process and the consolidation of schools to create racially balanced student bodies. Despite the demand for more black teachers, many were not rehired after the process of desegregation was complete.

Question 2

During and immediately after America's Civil War, the demand for teachers rose sharply in the South, mainly due to the educational needs of
A) women.
B) orphaned children.
C) newly freed slaves.
D) former prisoners of war.

Accepted Answer

The newly freed slaves needed education and literacy in order to participate fully in society and pursue greater opportunities. The demand for teachers increased as a result, leading to the establishment of many schools specifically for African American students in the South. While women, orphaned children, and former prisoners of war may have also needed educational support during this time, the primary reason for the increased demand for teachers was to educate the newly freed enslaved population.

Question 3

Catherine Beecher's argument for women as teachers was based largely on the idea that
A) men were doing a poor job as teachers.
B) women were the equals of men in every respect.
C) teaching children was part of women's natural role.
D) there were not enough men available to meet the need.

Accepted Answer

Catherine Beecher argued that women were naturally suited to be teachers because they had a maternal instinct and were responsible for the moral education of children in the home. Therefore, she saw teaching as an extension of women's traditional domestic roles.

Question 4

Which of the following resulted from the evolution of teaching into a women's profession?
A) Marriage rates declined.
B) Teacher salary levels fell.
C) The school day became shorter.
D) The status of teachers in society grew.

Accepted Answer

As teaching evolved into a profession dominated by women, societal perceptions of the profession's value and the compensation for teachers changed, leading to a decrease in teacher salary levels. This shift was partly due to the historical undervaluation of women's work and the assumption that women did not need to earn as much because they were not seen as the primary breadwinners.

Question 5

During the American colonial era, paid teachers were commonly young men who
A) had no better job prospects.
B) had completed a baccalaureate degree in education.
C) had been apprenticed to a teacher in their early teens.
D) taught until they could return to college or find other professional employment.

Accepted Answer

During the American colonial era, teaching was often a temporary job for young men who were waiting to return to college or find other professional employment, as it was not considered a long-term career.

Question 6

In the Ingersoll/Smith study, teachers who left the field due to dissatisfaction most commonly cited
A) low salaries.
B) poor facilities.
C) large class sizes.
D) discipline problems.

Accepted Answer

Low salaries are often cited as a primary reason for teacher dissatisfaction and attrition in various studies, including those by Ingersoll and Smith. Teachers frequently express concerns over their compensation not reflecting their workload or the importance of their profession.

Question 7

In the United States, the percentage of new teachers who leave the field of teaching in the first five years is between ___ and ___ percent.
A) 20; 30
B) 40; 50
C) 60; 70
D) 80; 90

Accepted Answer

According to the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, between 40 and 50 percent of new teachers leave the field within their first five years of teaching.

Question 8

The most common reason teachers give for choosing a teaching career is
A) subject matter interests
B) the importance of the work.
C) the influence of a former teacher.
D) a desire to work with young people.

Accepted Answer

While all options may be factors in a teacher's decision to pursue a teaching career, research suggests that the desire to work with young people is the most common reason teachers give for entering the profession.

Question 9

The nationwide move to require all public school teachers to have completed a bachelor's degree took place during the ________.
A) 1910s
B) 1930s
C) 1950s
D) 1970s

Accepted Answer

The requirement for public school teachers to have a bachelor's degree became more widespread in the 1950s as part of efforts to improve educational standards.

Question 10

Which of the following best expresses the major purpose of the progressive education movement?
A) to revive basic instruction.
B) to abolish political corruption through education.
C) to make the United States a world leader in education.
D) to create an environment for helping to improve American life.

Accepted Answer

The progressive education movement aimed to create an educational environment that would help improve American life. This involved a shift away from rote memorization and towards more experiential, student-centered learning that focused on problem-solving and critical thinking. The movement sought to prepare students not just for academic success, but also for active citizenship and engagement in their communities.

Quiz 1: Teaching: Is It for Me

Which of the following was one of the major effects of school desegregation on teachers during the decade after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision?

During and immediately after America's Civil War, the demand for teachers rose sharply in the South, mainly due to the educational needs of

Catherine Beecher's argument for women as teachers was based largely on the idea that

Which of the following resulted from the evolution of teaching into a women's profession?

During the American colonial era, paid teachers were commonly young men who

In the Ingersoll/Smith study, teachers who left the field due to dissatisfaction most commonly cited

In the United States, the percentage of new teachers who leave the field of teaching in the first five years is between _ and _ percent.

The most common reason teachers give for choosing a teaching career is

The nationwide move to require all public school teachers to have completed a bachelor's degree took place during the ________.

Which of the following best expresses the major purpose of the progressive education movement?