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Is Teaching a Profession?
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Indicate whether each of the following statements is True for Teaching, Not True for Teaching, or that you Don't Know. After completing this entire exercise, submit your responses to see where you stand in a national poll of your colleagues.



Criteria for a Profession






1

Professions provide essential services to the individual and society.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



2

Each profession is concerned with an identified area of need or function (e.g., maintenance of physical and emotional health).

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



3

The profession possesses a unique body of knowledge and skills (professional culture).

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



4

Professional decisions are made in accordance with valid knowledge, principles, and theories.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



5

The profession is based on undergirding disciples from which it builds its own applied knowledge and skills.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



6

Professional associations control the actual work and conditions of the profession (e.g., admissions, standards, licensing).

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



7

There are performance standards for admission to and continuance in the profession.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



8

Preparation for and induction into the profession requires a protracted preparation program, usually in a college or university professional school.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



9

There is a high level of public trust and confidence in the profession and in the skills and competence of its members.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



10

Individual practitioners are characterized by a strong service motivation and lifetime commitment to competence.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



11

The profession itself determines individual competence.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



12

There is relative freedom from direct or public job supervision of the individual practitioner. The professional accepts this responsibility and is accountable through his or her profession to the society.

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know

Criteria for a Semi-Profession






13

Lower in occupational status

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



14

Shorter training periods

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



15

Lack of societal acceptance that the nature of the service and/or the level of expertise justifies the autonomy that is granted to the professions

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



16

A less specialized and less highly developed body of knowledge and skills

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



17

Markedly less emphasis on theoretical and conceptual bases for practice

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



18

A tendency for the individual to identify with the employment institution more and with the profession less

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



19

More subject to administrative and supervisory surveillance and control

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



20

Less autonomy in professional decision making, with accountability to superiors rather than to the profession

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



21

Management by persons who have themselves been prepared and served in that semiprofession

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



22

A preponderance of women

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



23

Absence of the right to privileged communication between client and professional

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



24

Little or no involvement in matters of life and death

A)True
B)False
C)Don't Know



25

Now that you have responded to each of the above statements, do you think teaching is a

A)Profession
B)Semiprofession
C)Neither







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