Abstract

A framework of school and teacher qualities has been established by research. The need to identify families’ school and teacher selection criteria, in particular, is the main motive behind the present study. It mainly aims to identify the criteria parents use when selecting schools and teachers, or the influence of hidden curriculum on school and teachers’ selection. The study adopted the descriptive scanning model, and employed quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments. The main data source are parents whose children attend private schools. “Parents’ School Selection Criteria Scale” and “Parents’ Teacher Selection Criteria Scale” were administered to 202 parents, and an interview form was used to collect qualitative data from 12 parents. Scores showing parents’ opinion about school and teacher selection criteria were discussed with reference to set intervals. ANOVA and t-test were used to identify whether there is a significant difference between these opinions with respect to parents’ level of education. The results of the analysis were interpreted at .05 level of significance, and only the items revealing a significant difference are presented in the tables. The data collected from the interviews were interpreted by content analysis, and the results are accompanied by direct quotations for enhanced meaning. It was found out that the main criteria used for school and teacher selection consist of the elements of hidden curriculum related with the school and teacher, that the parents attach greater importance to teachers then they do to schools, and the qualities of teacher is the major criterion used for school selection.

Key words: School selection, teacher selection, hidden curriculum.