Factors That Influence African American Males to Become Public School Teachers

This study was designed to investigate the career choice factors that influenced
African American males to become public school teachers. The sample consisted of 122
African American male teachers and administrators who were employed in Florida's
Public School System at the time of this study. This quantitative study utilized a
computerized cross-sectional survey as the design. Twenty-one intrinsic and extrinsic
career choice factors were examined using descriptive and inferential statistics, including
independent sample t tests and ANOVA to determine the significance of their effects.
Results of the study revealed that all twenty-one career choice factors influenced African
American males in their decision to become public school teachers. However, the level of
influence of intrinsic career choice factors (i.e., opportunity to work with children,
importance of teaching and contribution to society) was significantly higher than the level
of influence of extrinsic career choice factors (i.e., salary, advancement opportunities and fringe benefits) on the career choice decisions of African American male public school
teachers. For educational and political leaders at the national, state and local levels, these
findings may provide them with valuable information to consider as they develop
recruitment strategies aimed at increasing the number of African American male public
school teachers.