The value of a career in teaching: The development of a survey to examine the reasons why veteran teachers remain in the classroom

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a survey instrument for the exploration of the reasons why teachers remain in the classroom and the value that a teaching career holds for experienced teachers. The study utilized the knowledge and experiences of teachers throughout the survey development process. Teachers, themselves, played the predominate role in the identification of their concerns, needs, the benefits and rewards of teaching, the value that the job holds for them and the factors that influence their retention.;The survey was developed based upon data gathered from a variety of sources. Information from a review of literature and related research was used to develop a standardized open-ended interview. The interview was vetted through an expert committee and items were also field-tested with experienced teachers. Following field-testing, interviews were conducted with 15 teachers from around the state of Texas.;Interview data were used to develop the first draft of the survey instrument and possible response options. The survey instrument was put through several validation activities including: expert committee feedback prior to pre-testing, pre-testing of the survey via the use of Cognitive Interviewing with experienced teachers, expert committee feedback prior to field-testing, a field-test of the third draft of the survey instrument, and solicitation of feedback via the administration of a Survey Validation Form. The data obtained through all aspects of the development process were then used to create the final version of the survey instrument.;The voices of the experienced teachers who participated in the various stages of the study were vital to the development and validation of the survey instrument. Teachers are the ultimate authority on factors related to their retention and can best help us to understand why they stay. By listening to veteran teachers, this study provided the opportunity for the teachers, themselves, to discuss the reasons why they remained in the classroom as well as the benefits of teaching and the value that a career in teaching holds for them.