Returns to Education: A Study of High School Teachers’ Perceptions

Abstract

Education is becoming increasingly important in terms of future employment. In this study, I attempt to inquire about the perceptions on returns to education of a randomly selected sample of high school teachers nationwide. I attempt to see how the teachers’ perceptions on returns to education compare to observed returns to educations, to see how teachers’ perceptions on returns to a college degree differ by race and ethnicity, degree type, type of four-year post-secondary institution and gender and, finally, to discover a relationship between if teachers apply post-secondary education in their everyday teachings and their perceived returns to a college degree. I also attempt to discover if there is a correlation between characteristics of the respondents’ current place of employment and their perceived returns to a college degree as well as if there is a correlation between respondents’ personal characteristics and their perceived returns to a college degree.