Teacher education, graduates' teaching commitment and entrance into the teaching profession

This study aimed to gain insight into the relationship between teacher education and graduating teachers (not) starting in the teaching profession (n = 209). Predictor variables referred to teacher education, integration into teaching, and teaching commitment. To examine interrelationships between these variables, factors were also interlinked to test a theoretical model of graduates' teaching commitment. Results reveal that graduates' teaching commitment is strongly related to their entrance into the teaching profession. Furthermore, the perception of mentor teachers' evaluative support is directly related to teaching commitment and other variables (e.g. faculty support, type of teacher training) are indirectly related through the mediation with graduates' teacher efficacy and professional orientation. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.