Jennifer Gore|Rosie Joy Barron|Kathryn Holmes|Megan L. Smith
Who says we are not attracting the best and brightest? Teacher selection and the aspirations of Australian school students
University of Newcastle Australia|University of Newcastle Australia|Western Sydney University|University of Newcastle Australia
internationally quality teachers growing focus educational reform new policies attempting ensure best brightest selected teaching profession article tests assumption underpinning developments prospective teachers lack desired academic personal qualities drawing data career aspirations 6492 australian school students years 312 investigated among students expressed interest teaching reasons using logistic regression found interest teaching widespread prior academic achievement significant predictor thematic analysis reasons expressed interest teaching indicated working children andor specific subject areas altruism perceptions personal suitability job dominated student responses data provide counternarrative primacy policies teacher recruitment selection needing attract better students argue policies improving teacher quality also capitalise widespread interest teaching among school students without discursive broadening caution current attempts attract best brightest risk undermining goals espoused