Teachers On Call Preliminary Results of the 2005 TOC Survey November 2005
Survey Objectives: To map transition and work patterns; To understand employment intentions and aspirations; To document financial well-being; To assess perceptions of TOC experiences; To gauge level of union involvement; To make comparisons with previous TOC studies.
Methodology Census Survey Questionnaire development 2004-2005 Pilot test April, May 2005 Mailed to each TOC on the BCTF Member Database list, May 2005 2-wave mail-out procedure with follow-up letter sent in July Open-ended interviewing Each respondent invited to volunteer for a face-toface interview
Response 1,861 usable questionnaires returned Response rate of ~35% 594 returned interview forms (32%) Interviewees to be randomly selected Interviews in winter 2005-06
Member Database Member Database TOCs: 74% female, 26% male Member Database other Teachers 69% female, 31% male Survey: 80% female and 20% male
Who are Teachers On Call? 71% 22% 15% 32% Married Single Retired teachers Primary caregiver children/elders
TOC Age 23 82 41.5 age of the youngest respondents age of the oldest respondent average age
Age distribution of Teachers On Call and All Teachers, 2005 25% TOC MOE 20% 15% 10% 5% 23 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 65 0% 65 plus
Educational Background 36% Bachelor of Education 48% Bachelor degree, other 10% Master s degree 0.2% Doctorate 6.0% Other Teaching certificate, permanent standard Diploma e.g., literacy, special education 3-year program
TQS Salary Category One 2.8% Two 1.1% Three 2.5% Four 11.3% Five 64.5% Six 7.6% No Response 10.1%
Area of Teacher Education Preparation Elementary school 58% Middle school 3% Secondary school 28% Other 11%
Current Teaching Status 64% TOC only 15% TOC and other paid job 8% TOC and part-time term 3% Full-time term 2% Not currently employed in teaching
Employment Intentions 51% TOC, looking for full-time teaching 13% TOC, looking for part-time teaching 13% Retired, working as TOC 15% TOC, not looking for teaching position 8% Other
Employment Intentions by Gender Female Male (1,469) (377) TOC, looking for full-time teaching 52% 46% TOC, looking for part-time teaching 15% 4% Retired, working as TOC 9% 31% TOC, not looking for teaching position 17% 10% Other 7% 10% 100% 100%
Work Patterns About 23% of TOCs work in a district that is different from the district within which they reside. Approximately 18% of TOCs work in more than one school district 3% work in three districts.
Teaching outside area of expertise 16% never 61% less than half of the time 23% this is so 50% of the time or more.
Work Patterns On average, TOCs work 66 days per year. This is about 35% of the total days school is in session. 6 years ago the average was 73 days.
Appointments The majority of appointments 64% are for one day. About 18% are for half a day, 6% for two days, 3% for three days. Only 9% of assignments are for four or more days in a row.
TOC Earnings Type of TOC TOC only TOC + other All TOCs $ 12,073.23 $24,204.92 TOC looking for full-time $ 13,594.55 $21,344.25 TOC looking for part-time $ 10,007.46 $18,299.46 TOC retired $ 9,163.19 $45,625.95 TOC not looking $ 12,362.21 $23,055.61
Debt-Load Just under 25% of TOCs have student loan debt. The average amount of student loan debt from all sources is $20,072. The average amount of government student loan debt is $19,365
TOC, looking for full-time Percent Respondents: 51% Female Male Avg. Age 34 37 Gender comparison Female 52% Male 46%
TOC, looking for full-time I have just recently graduated from UVIC and got on the TOC list right away. I am presently looking for a full time job for Sept. When my maternity leave is over, I will be looking for full time teaching.
TOC, looking for full-time I have raised a family for 10 years and now I'm trying to re-enter the teaching profession. I hope to get full time work soon or I may have to abandon teaching.
TOC, looking for full-time I graduated in 2000. I thought it would be helpful to work overseas. So I did, at international schools, for 2.5 years. When I returned home, I discovered my experience did not count, as it was not in the district! I waited one year to get on the list, and have now been subbing for 2 years.
TOC, looking for part-time Percent Respondents: 13% Female Male Avg. Age 41 43 Gender comparison Female 15% Male 4%
TOC, looking for part-time I am currently a TOC coming off a maternity leave. I am looking for part time employment or a job share opportunity which would allow me to balance my career and family responsibilities.
TOC, looking for part-time I hoped to find part time work earlier on, however after 15 years, I feel less inclined to find work, as I am closer to retiring so I have more or less given up applying for jobs.
TOC, looking for part-time I have other interests and don't want to work full time. I would like to work part time in a contract to have guaranteed income and benefits.
TOC, looking for part-time Because it is taking me sooo long (I'm going into my 4th year of subbing!) to get a job, I decided to start my own business. I need some extra income as part-time work.
Retired, working as TOC Percent Respondents: 15% Female Male Avg. Age 61 63 Gender comparison Female 9% Male 31%
Retired, working as a TOC As a retired teacher my TOC work is a way to continue to relate to children and other teachers. The pay supplements my pension, which is my only other source of income. My wife was a full time mother.
Retired, working as a TOC I am easing my way into retirement. Each year I work fewer days (60 yr 1, 50 yr 2, 40 yr 3, 30 something this year). Next year will be my final year as a TOC. Our district needs certified TOCs. There is a shortage so I work when called. I do not apply for postings as I feel the young teachers need their chance.
Retired, working as a TOC I am a TOC because my pension does not cover my living expenses. Money for travel. Shortage in my teaching area has prompted my assignment this year.
TOC, not looking Percent Respondents: 17% Female Male Avg. Age 46 47 Gender comparison Female 17% Male 10%
TOC, not looking for full-time or part-time I am currently TOCing while furthering my education at night school in Accounting in order to do my C.A. I consider myself a career TOC.
TOC, not looking I am pursing a career in the "arts." TOC-ing is flexible. I have become disillusioned at the teaching profession on the whole. Though I am on the list, I have retrained for other employment.
TOC, not looking I was an elementary teacher from 1969 to 1994 at which time I left. Life is too short to be an elementary teacher in today's climate. I love being a TOC, no meetings, no reports, no parents or administrators to deal with. Lots of variety and flexibility. A dream job.
Experiences overall Agree Disagree N/A Call-out procedures in my district are fair 77.9 20.9 1.3 I am satisfied with call-out system 77.0 22.0 1.0 I am satisfied with the amount of work 62.9 35.9 1.3 I am satisfied work assignments 87.4 11.6 1.1 I am satisfied with my daily wage 50.7 48.4 0.9 Often accept work outside my area(s) 39.6 50.6 9.8 Hiring procedures for contracts are fair 31.2 50.0 18.8 Sometimes feel I am not treated as a "real" teacher 63.8 34.5 1.7
Most important, all TOCs Percent Hiring procedures for contract 31.4 Amount of work 28.6 Daily rate 23.7 Benefits 10.8 Call-out fairness 9.9 TOC status among other (non-toc) teachers 3.7 Opportunities to participate in my local 0.4