Table 7 The 2007–2008 SASS items and coding
From: A model for understanding teachers’ intentions to remain in STEM education
Construct | Item | Content | Scale | Recoding | Recoded item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YEARS | T0038 | How many years have you worked as a full-time elementary or secondary teacher in public schools? | Year(s) | ||
How much actual control do you have in your classroom at this school over the following areas of teaching and planning? | |||||
AUTO1 | T0280 | Selecting textbooks and other instructional materials. | 1 = no control to 4 = a great deal of control | ||
AUTO2 | T0281 | Selecting content, topics, and skills to be taught. | 1 = no control to 4 = a great deal of control | ||
AUTO3 | T0282 | Selecting teaching techniques. | 1 = no control to 4 = a great deal of control | ||
AUTO4 | T0283 | Evaluating and grading students. | 1 = no control to 4 = a great deal of control | ||
AUTO5 | T0284 | Disciplining students. | 1 = no control to 4 = a great deal of control | ||
AUTO6 | T0285 | Determining the amount of homework to be assigned. | 1 = no control to 4 = a great deal of control | ||
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? | |||||
ADMIN1 | T0286 | The school administration’s behavior toward the staff is supportive and encouraging. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | Reverse recode | RE_T0286 |
SALARY1 | T0287 | I am satisfied with my teaching salary. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | Reverse recode | RE_T0287 |
ADMIN2 | T0292 | My principal enforces school rules for student conduct and backs me up when I need it. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | Reverse recode | RE_T0292 |
ADMIN3 | T0295 | The principal knows what kind of school he or she wants and has communicated it to the staff. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | Reverse recode | RE_T0295 |
ADMIN4 | T0297 | In this school, staff members are recognized for a job well done. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | Reverse recode | RE_T0297 |
TRUANT1 | T0301 | The amount of student tardiness and class cutting in this school interferes with my teaching. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | ||
To what extent is each of the following a problem in this school? | |||||
TRUANT2 | T0303 | Student tardiness. | 1 = serious problem to 4 = not a problem | ||
TRUANT3 | T0304 | Student absenteeism. | 1 = serious problem to 4 = not a problem | ||
TRUANT4 | T0305 | Student class cutting. | 1 = serious problem to 4 = not a problem | ||
SOCIO1 | T0309 | Lack of parental involvement. | 1 = serious problem to 4 = not a problem | ||
SOCIO2 | T0310 | Poverty. | 1 = serious problem to 4 = not a problem | ||
SOCIO3 | T0311 | Students come to school unprepared to learn. | 1 = serious problem to 4 = not a problem | ||
SOCIO4 | T0312 | Poor student health. | 1 = serious problem to 4 = not a problem | ||
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? | |||||
ADMIN5 | T0315 | I like the way things are run at this school. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | Reverse recode | RE_T0315 |
SALARY2 | T0316 | If I could get a higher paying job I’d leave teaching as soon as possible. | 1 = strongly agree to 4 = strongly disagree | ||
INTENT1 | T0320 | If you could go back to your college days and start over again, would you become a teacher or not? | 1 = certainly would become a teacher, 2 = probably would become a teacher, 3 = chances about even for and against, 4 = probably would not become a teacher, 5 = certainly would not become a teacher | Reverse recode | RE_T0320 |
INTENT2 | T0321 | How long do you plan to remain in teaching? | 1 = as long as I am able, 2 = until I am eligible for retirement benefits from this job, 3 = until I am eligible for retirement benefits from a previous job, 4 = until I am eligible for Social Security benefits, 5 = until a specific life event occurs (e.g., parenthood, marriage), 6 = until a more desirable job opportunity comes along, 7 = definitely plan to leave as soon as I can, 8 = undecided at this time | 3 to 2, 4 to 2, 5 to 2, 6 to 4, 7 to 5, 8 to 3, Reverse recode | RE_T0321 |