Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation asked 10,000 teachers for their opinions and beliefs about the teaching profession. Can you predict the findings?

For this year's Primary Sources: America's Teachers on the Teaching Profession report, Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation interviewed teachers about their classrooms and schools; about student and teacher performance; and about the ways the performance of teachers and students should be evaluated, supported, and rewarded. Teachers shared their accomplishments, worries, frustrations and hopes for their students.

The 10,000 teachers surveyed in Primary Sources 2012 convey a real portrait of the challenges and joys of the teaching profession. They shared their thoughtful, nuanced views on both their daily practice and critical issues at the heart of education reform. How well do you know what your colleagues are thinking and feeling? Are your opinions aligned with theirs? 

Take the quiz below to find out. Here are ten questions about the findings from Primary Sources 2012 survey of American teachers.

Question 1

What percentage of teachers surveyed believe that up-to-date technology that is well integrated in the classroom has a strong or very strong impact on student achievement?

a. 92 percent

b. 87 percent

c. 65 percent

d. 51 percent

Question 2

Which of the following do teachers say is the single most important factor impacting academic achievement in the United States?

a. Effective and engaged principals and building-level leaders

b. Reducing class sizes

c. More family involvement and support

d. Teaching resources to help differentiate instruction

Question 3

Which of the following do teachers say is the single least important measure of student achievement? 

a. Formative, ongoing assessment

b. State-required standardized texts

c. Tests from textbooks

d. Performance on class assignments

Question 4

How long is the average teacher work day?  

a. 10 hours, 40 minutes

b. 12 hours, 10 minutes

c. 9 hours, 30 minutes

d. 8 hours, 20 minutes

Question 5

Teachers are most likely to report the need for more school-wide and tangible resources to address which of these student populations? 

a. English language learners

b. Special education students

c. Students with behavioral issues

d. Gifted and talented students

Question 6

Of the following eight factors, which four do educators say are most important to retaining good teachers?

a. Pay tied to teacher performance

b. More family involvement in education

c. Supportive leadership

d. Opportunity for additional responsibilities and advancement

e. Access to high-quality curriculum and teaching resources

f. Higher salaries

g. More help for students who have behavioral or other problems that interfere with learning

h. More autonomy for teachers

Question 7

Educators are most likely to believe teachers should be eligible for tenure after how many years?

a. Three or fewer years

b. Four to five years

c. Six to nine years

d. 10 or more years

Question 8

The majority of teachers feel prepared to teach the Common Core Standards in their classrooms. 

a. True

b. False

Question 9

Are teachers more likely to report that the percentage of parents who participate in school or classroom activities in the last five years has increased, decreased, or stayed the same? 

a. Increased

b. Decreased

c. Remained the same

Question 10

Despite all the challenges, what percentage of teachers reported that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs as teachers? 

a. 69 percent

b. 79 percent

c. 89 percent

d. 99 percent

Answers

1. b  2. c  3. c  4. a  5. c 6. b; c; e; g 7. b  8. a  9. b 10. c