Teachers Say Choice Can't Be Allowed

Despite efforts to enlist more men as teachers, women hold an increasing share of teacher positions in the nation, according to the latest survey from the National Center for Education Information. And they don't like freedom of school choice for parents.

Based on responses to more than 1,000 questionnaires sent out earlier this year:

• Some 74 percent of teachers this year are women -- up from 69 percent in 1986 and 71 percent in 1990.

• They oppose control of schools by private firms by 71 percent.

• And 82 percent oppose allowing parents to send their children to any public, private or church-related school they choose at full or partial government expense.

A spokeswoman for the American Federation of Teachers -- one of the two major teachers' unions -- says teachers "are very unsympathetic to reform schemes that move dollars from the public schools." She also commented that teachers get very little support when they try educational reforms.

Source: Tamara Henry, "Teaching Ranks Grow Increasingly Female," USA Today, October 17, 1996.