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Are the education policy preferences of teachers just a reflection of their occupational concerns?

Author

Listed:
  • Chantal Oggenfuss

    (Swiss Coordination Centre for Research in Education (SKBF), Aarau)

  • Stefan C. Wolter

    (Swiss Coordination Centre for Research in Education (SKBF), Aaraum University of Bern, University of Bern, CESifo, Munich, & IZA, Bonn)

Abstract

Education policy opinions and preferences of teachers are important not only in shaping public opinion, they also play a key role in ensuring the acceptance, and hence the implementation, of education reforms. While media communicates a great deal about the education policy preferences of the organised teaching body, we know little to nothing about how much these preferences coincide with or differ from those of the rest of the population. On the basis of two representative opinion polls on education policy issues in Switzerland (2007, 2012), we analysed the differences in preferences between those who have completed teacher training and the rest of the population. This shows that preferences differ statistically significantly if the topic has a direct relation to teachers' working conditions. By contrast, in all other topics which relate to teachers' working conditions only indirectly or not at all, there are no differences in preferences. Alongside their specialist knowledge, therefore, vested interests of teachers must undoubtedly be considered as an explanation of different education policy preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Chantal Oggenfuss & Stefan C. Wolter, 2014. "Are the education policy preferences of teachers just a reflection of their occupational concerns?," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0101, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    • Handle: RePEc:iso:educat:0101
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational policies; public opinion; teachers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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