Motivation to become a teacher: A Norwegian validation of the Factors Influencing Teaching Choice Scale

The act of newly qualified teachers leaving the profession is a growing challenge, both in Norway and internationally. To address recruitment difficulties, there is a need for further knowledge of prospective teachers’ career motivations. The current study validated a Norwegian translation of the Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT-Choice) Scale. Using a sample of 635 preservice teachers, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. The results indicated that the translated scale offers a valid measure of Norwegian students’ motivation to become teachers. Self-perception of teaching-related abilities was one of the main motivational sources, together with the desire to shape the future of children and adolescents and an interest in teaching. Findings are discussed in relation to previous studies based on the FIT-Choice Scale in other countries. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research on 26 Apr 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00313831.2017.130680