Are the Values of Secondary School Teachers Really in Decline?

This paper argues that only further research on secondary teachers' beliefs will help us to make sense of teachers' values and show us how these inform school practice. Furthermore, much of the work on beliefs and values which does exist raises more questions than answers and certainly does not support the assertions of some of our public figures. There are conceptual frameworks available which would help research in this field and the application of these would provide genuine insight into the nature and effects of secondary teachers values.