Parental Perceptions of the Teaching Profession: Factors That Predict Parental Encouragement of Students to Enter the Teaching Profession

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper and the topic are interesting, but I think it is necessary to improve some arguments and it is convenient to endorse certain affirmations.

In the article, the author affirms that the teaching profession is highly respected, however, this assertion is not unanimous in all countries. The author should consider and explain this diversity. TALIS and other OECD’ studies support this indicator.

In relation to previous teaching experience (line 150), it is said that no studies were found, but there are.

There are a large number of studies in Spain (for example) that analyze the influence that parents and other family members who have been teachers have (or may have) on the choice of profession. Also about the level of education/training of the parents.

In lines 91-95, to prepare the table, the author says that they had to brainstorm because of the scarcity of literature. But there are studies and also doctoral theses on this subject. The author should consult and cite them.

The study does not include any analysis about “vocation” and this concept is very important in a research like this.

Author Response

The paper and the topic are interesting, but I think it is necessary to improve some arguments and it is convenient to endorse certain affirmations.

1. In the article, the author affirms that the teaching profession is highly respected, however, this assertion is not unanimous in all countries. The author should consider and explain this diversity. TALIS and other OECD’ studies support this indicator.

Response: While historically the teaching profession has be highly respected, the reviewer’s observation about the recent decrease in respect for the teaching profession is noted. We revised the text to mention this. As you note, this is an important factor in this analysis precisely because of the changing status of teacher in society..

2. In relation to previous teaching experience (line 150), it is said that no studies were found, but there are. There are a large number of studies in Spain (for example) that analyze the influence that parents and other family members who have been teachers have (or may have) on the choice of profession. Also about the level of education/training of the parents.

Response: You make a good point, we didn’t find any studies precisely on the topic of parents/family teaching experience affecting their willingness to encourage children to become teachers. However there are studies that show families tend to stay in similar careers. We note this in the revised text.

3. In lines 91-95, to prepare the table, the author says that they had to brainstorm because of the scarcity of literature. But there are studies and also doctoral theses on this subject. The author should consult and cite them.

Response: This was removed and appropriate citations were added. As previously explained, not current studies on this particular factors and how they affected parents willingness to encourage their children to become teachers were found, only studies that suggested this factor might affect career choice.

4. The study does not include any analysis about “vocation” and this concept is very important in a research like this.

Response: In English the term “vocation” has several meanings. Vocation can mean career or occupation. It can also mean a calling or dedication to something. We weren’t sure what was meant by this but the idea of vocation as a calling is covered int the concept of self-efficacy and respect for the value of the profession.

 

Reviewer 2 Report

The article draws attention to an important issue. However, it is recommended to revise the problem situation again and to present the problem clearly. I would like the researcher to refer more to the results of current sources while posing the problem. The purpose of the research should also be stated more clearly. It is stated that data were collected from 495 parents in the study. How the participants were selected and the ethical rules should be explained in more detail. I suggest giving details about the demographic characteristics of the participants. Similarly, the number of items to introduce the tool, examples for the items, etc. from the data collection tool information must be written. In the discussion section, each result obtained from the research should be supported by the relevant literature and a detailed discussion should be made. The importance of this study, the fields and institutions it will contribute to, and the originality of the study should be clearly stated

Author Response

1. The article draws attention to an important issue. However, it is recommended to revise the problem situation again and to present the problem clearly. . I would like the researcher to refer more to the results of current sources while posing the problem. The purpose of the research should also be stated more clearly.

 

Response The problem this research address is explained in the introduction with citations to substantiate the issues importance. The text explains that there is a growing need to retain and recruit teachers. One aspect of this as explained on line 43 is the willingness of parents to encourage their children to become teachers. The research question on line 53 explain this study will explore the factors that affect a parents willingness to encourage their children to become teachers.

 

 

2 It is stated that data were collected from 495 parents in the study. How the participants were selected and the ethical rules should be explained in more detail. I suggest giving details about the demographic characteristics of the participants. Line 185

           

Response: A description of the participants is provided in section 2.2. this was an anonymous survey sent to parent of high school aged students in nine school districts. No individual demographic information was collected other than the fact that the participants have children in the targeted range. As such they are key informants with information needed to ascertain the perspective of parents and their willingness to encourage their children to become teachers. As per IRB protocols governing the ethical treatment of participants in this study and as explain in this section the survey was sent out by each of the school districts using their email system.   

 

3. the number of items to introduce the tool, examples for the items, etc. from the data collection tool information must be written.

 

Response: Additional information on the items was added to section 2.1 but the exact items are also presented in tables 2 and 3.

 

1. In the discussion section, each result obtained from the research should be supported by the relevant literature and a detailed discussion should be made. The importance of this study, the fields and institutions it will contribute to, and the originality of the study should be clearly stated

 

Response: citation supporting the factors and their potential importance is provided in section 1.2. of the text. The importance of the study is explained in the introduction and purpose statement. We added a sentence stating the originality of the research and the fact that no recent studies have address this issue in this way.

 

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

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