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Who teaches secondary social studies in the United States? How do social studies teachers perceive their profession? Do social studies teachers intend to stay in the classroom? Numerous research has provided contextual arguments as to the nature of the field. Yet, few previous studies have presented a generalizeable, profile of the US social studies workforce. "Characterizing the Field of Social Studies" offers large-scale findings on the state of social studies in the United States. Results indicate that social studies teachers tend to be White males. Moreover, minority and women practitioners are less likely to intend to stay in teaching. Among advanced degree holders, social studies teachers with Masters in educational fields are less likely to stay; while teachers with Masters in social studies related fields are more likely to remain teaching. This study offers evidence that school leaders, policymakers, and teacher educators need to do more in order to prepare and retain secondary social studies practitioners in the United States.

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Paul G. Fitchett is an assistant professor of social studies education in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K12 Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His research interests include social studies education, the impact of educational policy on classroom practice, and culturally responsive teaching.

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