The current coalition government in England has expressed its commitment to establishing an autonomous teaching profession. This study argues that such autonomy cannot exist in a system that is ideologically driven by market forces and neo-liberal policy. The best situation that most teachers can hope to experience – barring a seismic shift in material conditions – is an earned and scrutinised autonomy, which is an oxymoronic concept. It is argued that the tight control exercised by the state over what happens in schools through its promotion of market forces, reinforces the ideological nature of schooling in England. The theoretical and ontological basis of the study resides in an orthodox Marxist perspective and analyses the way in which neo-liberalism has formed the basis for the material conditions under which teachers currently work. It develops this idea to demonstrate how this dominant ideology pervades current discourse about pedagogy and curriculum, reducing such discourse to a narrower consideration of ‘standards’. It considers how this diminution of what the curriculum has become has, in its turn, had an impact on teachers’ view of their professional autonomy. Data are gathered from two rounds of interviews with 22 serving teachers complemented by some written responses from them. Six others with a professional interest in education policy-making, four of whom are headteachers, are also interviewed. The conclusion is drawn that teachers’ autonomy remains restricted, with any independence of action largely contingent upon the production of outcomes measured against limited, pre-determined and ideologically driven outcomes. The study identifies a disconnection between the aspirations of teachers with regard to their professional autonomy and those of some, but not all, headteachers. A further disconnection between the aspirations of teachers and the policies of central government is also identified. Significantly, teachers may enjoy more professional autonomy in those schools which currently, and possibly temporarily, enjoy market popularity. In terms of a contribution to the debate about teacher autonomy, the study demonstrates that, notwithstanding the effects of the current policy ensemble, teachers maintain a sense of what education could offer young people that goes beyond the existing, reductive models that frame their working lives.

As exigências atuais em relação ao professor se estabelecem em torno de sua capacidade e sensibilidade de construir, planejar e gerir um currículo capaz de formar um cidadão em condições de, além de tomar atitudes socialmente responsáveis, também consiga produzir mudanças em busca de soluções para problemas que enfrentam em seu cotidiano. Espera-se, portanto, que o professor desenvolva, planeje e elabore projetos educacionais. No entanto, as pesquisas mostram que a maioria dos professores nem sempre está em condições de implementar, executar e gerir tais projetos e, de forma geral, reproduz o ensino que teve nas experiências que vivenciou enquanto aluno. Em nossa pesquisa, buscaremos investigar a trajetória percorrida por dois professores de Física, participantes de um grupo de professores que buscaram pôr em prática um projeto de caráter interdisciplinar, visando compreender como o resgate da dimensão intelectual docente pode ou não contribuir para o desenvolvimento da autonomia profissional do professor de Ciências. Nossa pesquisa parte da hipótese de que muitas das dificuldades enfrentadas pelos professores relacionam-se com a identidade docente de cada professor, bem como suas concepções acerca do exercício de sua autonomia profissional. Assim sendo, escolhemos adotar a modalidade de pesquisa qualitativa denominada estudo de caso, por estarmos mais interessados na identificação de aspectos próprios da realidade docente e do âmbito escolar que interferem decisivamente na maneira como o ensino é praticado, para, assim, analisar como os aspectos intrapessoais, interpessoais e institucionais dos professores interferiram na execução do projeto; caracterizar a autonomia dos docentes de física e analisar se a mesma se desenvolveu ao longo da trajetória do resgate intelectual do ofício de professor. Portanto, na metodologia de coleta de dados, a pesquisa se constituirá de três fases: o planejamento, a tomada de decisão e a análise que os professores fazem das medidas pedagógicas adotadas. Para análise, utilizaremos os referenciais que estudam a autonomia docente relacionando-a com a identidade profissional do professor, fixando nossas atenções, principalmente, nos processos reflexivos a partir do estabelecimento do quádruplo diálogo e do desenvolvimento da alteridade. / The current demands on the teacher are established around their ability and sensitivity to build, plan and manage a curriculum capable of forming a citizen in a position, in addition to taking socially responsible attitudes, can also produce changes in search of solutions to problems they face in their daily lives. It is expected, therefore, that the teacher develop, plan and develop educational projects. However, research shows that most teachers are not always able to deploy, run and manage such projects and, generally, reproduce education who had the experiences they experienced as students. In our research, we will seek to investigate the career trajectory by two professors of physics, members of a group of teachers who, in a work of action research, sought to implement an interdisciplinary project in order to understand how the rescue of teaching intellectual dimension can or not contribute to the development of professional autonomy of science teacher. Our research starts from the hypothesis that many of the difficulties faced by teachers are related to the teaching identity of each teacher and their conceptions of the exercise of their professional autonomy. Therefore, we chose to adopt the method of qualitative research called case study, because we are more interested in identifying specific aspects of the teaching reality and the school environment that interfere decisively in the way teaching is practiced, to thus analyze how aspects intrapersonal, interpersonal and institutional interfered of teachers in project implementation; characterize the autonomy of physics teachers and consider whether it developed along the path of intellectual rescue Teacher craft. Therefore, data collection methodology, the research will consist of three phases: planning, decision making and analysis that teachers do pedagogical measures adopted. For analysis, we will use the benchmarks studying teaching autonomy relating it to the professional identity of the teacher, fixing our attention mainly on the reflective processes from establishment of the quad dialogue and the development of otherness.

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ level of autonomy in a Response-to-Intervention (RTI) model school system and with delivering a Tier 2 reading intervention, as well as, to understand teachers’ perception of student response to the adapted reading materials. Qualitative data collection involved individual teacher interview, observations, post-intervention survey, and a focus group. Teachers selected reading materials that focused on sight word learning to adapt to fit student need and then delivered the intervention for six weeks. Quantitative data were the students’ progress monitoring scores of sight words learned and overall oral reading fluency rate. Results showed that each teacher adapted the materials differently, and that intervention practicality and elements of the current educational structure affect teacher autonomy. While specific elements can play into intervention practicality, it is truly difficult to analyze an intervention separate from the system in which it is being delivered. Teachers defined intervention practicality as ease of delivery, while additionally defining elements of district operations and governing forces of the system, as broader themes that placed control over their instructional practice, thus restricting autonomy. Implications for practice and future research encompass ways to empower teachers to build autonomy and ways to create teacher involvement during system-level change.

As exigências atuais em relação ao professor se estabelecem em torno de sua capacidade e sensibilidade de construir, planejar e gerir um currículo capaz de formar um cidadão em condições de, além de tomar atitudes socialmente responsáveis, também consiga produzir mudanças em busca de soluções para problemas que enfrentam em seu cotidiano. Espera-se, portanto, que o professor desenvolva, planeje e elabore projetos educacionais. No entanto, as pesquisas mostram que a maioria dos professores nem sempre está em condições de implementar, executar e gerir tais projetos e, de forma geral, reproduz o ensino que teve nas experiências que vivenciou enquanto aluno. Em nossa pesquisa, buscaremos investigar a trajetória percorrida por dois professores de Física, participantes de um grupo de professores que buscaram pôr em prática um projeto de caráter interdisciplinar, visando compreender como o resgate da dimensão intelectual docente pode ou não contribuir para o desenvolvimento da autonomia profissional do professor de Ciências. Nossa pesquisa parte da hipótese de que muitas das dificuldades enfrentadas pelos professores relacionam-se com a identidade docente de cada professor, bem como suas concepções acerca do exercício de sua autonomia profissional. Assim sendo, escolhemos adotar a modalidade de pesquisa qualitativa denominada estudo de caso, por estarmos mais interessados na identificação de aspectos próprios da realidade docente e do âmbito escolar que interferem decisivamente na maneira como o ensino é praticado, para, assim, analisar como os aspectos intrapessoais, interpessoais e institucionais dos professores interferiram na execução do projeto; caracterizar a autonomia dos docentes de física e analisar se a mesma se desenvolveu ao longo da trajetória do resgate intelectual do ofício de professor. Portanto, na metodologia de coleta de dados, a pesquisa se constituirá de três fases: o planejamento, a tomada de decisão e a análise que os professores fazem das medidas pedagógicas adotadas. Para análise, utilizaremos os referenciais que estudam a autonomia docente relacionando-a com a identidade profissional do professor, fixando nossas atenções, principalmente, nos processos reflexivos a partir do estabelecimento do quádruplo diálogo e do desenvolvimento da alteridade. / The current demands on the teacher are established around their ability and sensitivity to build, plan and manage a curriculum capable of forming a citizen in a position, in addition to taking socially responsible attitudes, can also produce changes in search of solutions to problems they face in their daily lives. It is expected, therefore, that the teacher develop, plan and develop educational projects. However, research shows that most teachers are not always able to deploy, run and manage such projects and, generally, reproduce education who had the experiences they experienced as students. In our research, we will seek to investigate the career trajectory by two professors of physics, members of a group of teachers who, in a work of action research, sought to implement an interdisciplinary project in order to understand how the rescue of teaching intellectual dimension can or not contribute to the development of professional autonomy of science teacher. Our research starts from the hypothesis that many of the difficulties faced by teachers are related to the teaching identity of each teacher and their conceptions of the exercise of their professional autonomy. Therefore, we chose to adopt the method of qualitative research called case study, because we are more interested in identifying specific aspects of the teaching reality and the school environment that interfere decisively in the way teaching is practiced, to thus analyze how aspects intrapersonal, interpersonal and institutional interfered of teachers in project implementation; characterize the autonomy of physics teachers and consider whether it developed along the path of intellectual rescue Teacher craft. Therefore, data collection methodology, the research will consist of three phases: planning, decision making and analysis that teachers do pedagogical measures adopted. For analysis, we will use the benchmarks studying teaching autonomy relating it to the professional identity of the teacher, fixing our attention mainly on the reflective processes from establishment of the quad dialogue and the development of otherness.

The intent of thesis is to explore pre-service teachers' perceptions of using a form of professional development to promote teacher autonomy. Current evidence shows that autonomy is a recurring element desired by American teachers in their profession. However, research advocates for teachers who are initiating and carrying out research in their schools (as a form of professional development) to have the potential to promote autonomy. For American teachers to gain a sense of autonomy in their profession there needs to be a change in the way professional development is directed. One form of professional development that promotes teachers as researchers is Lesson Study. Teachers who participate in lesson study are given the opportunity to research, collaborate, and learn. A sample population of five Pre-service teachers were interviewed to discover their perceptions of using Lesson Study as a means to promote teacher autonomy. The results of this thesis are that lesson study was regarded, by three out of five of the participants, as an effective way to strengthen teacher autonomy. The implications of the results are discussed, and the descriptions and implications of Lesson Study are provided.

No description available.

High school students often face foreign language requirements, either to graduate from their high school or to be accepted at a college or university of their choice (www.ncssfl.org). These requirements serve as external motivators and may decrease a student's intrinsic motivation to learn a language. Indeed, researchers have determined that extrinsic motivation greatly undermines self-motivation (Deci, et al., 2011). Without intrinsic motivation, students struggle to learn in meaningful ways and fail to implement strategies that lead to meaningful foreign language learning and proficiency. Educators must critically analyze their materials, instructional style, lesson plans and assessments and then remove from the curriculum any practice or task that does not foster learner autonomy that ultimately leads to intrinsic motivation. Further, to foster intrinsic motivation, language teaching and learning must focus on the relational aspect of language, as the use of any language is purposed to communicate needs and ideas with others This report explores how learner autonomy and interrelatedness aid the development of intrinsic motivation and provides pedagogical implications for the classroom. / text

This thesis investigates teachers’ perceptions of continuing professional development (CPD) in Germany and Sweden with a questionnaire study comprising a total of 711 mainly lower secondary teachers. Three conceptual terms are elaborated and explained. Teachers act in a CPD marketplace that is constituted by several sources of knowledge which offer opportunities for teachers’ development. How teachers act in the marketplace is a key part of their CPD culture. The study reveals similarities in the two cases regarding the importance of colleagues as well as informal development activities, but there are also significant differences. One the one hand, German teachers can be described as more active in their CPD than their Swedish colleagues in relation to particular aspects of their profession such as assessment, and more suspicious of knowledge from elsewhere, on the other. In order to understand the differences, I argue for an extended focus on the impact of the national context, in terms of socially and historically significant structures and traditions of the teaching profession. The thesis focuses on a crucial aspect with a particular explanatory value for differing CPD tendencies in various national contexts: Autonomy from a governance perspective. This phenomenon, which does indeed change across time and space, is investigated from a socio-historical perspective in both contexts, building on Margaret Archer’s analytic dualism of structure and agency, and a dual pronged model of teacher autonomy. The latter distinguishes institutional autonomy, regarding legal or status issues, from service autonomy related to the practical issues in schools and classrooms. Since these dimensions can be either extended or restricted, different categories evolve which enable us to understand the differences between the two cases. Finally, by using the findings on the German and Swedish teaching profession, a theoretical framework is presented that relates the certain forms of teacher autonomy in particular national contexts to likely CPD cultures that teachers share.

This thesis examines the impact of local and national education policies on teachers' practice in six secondary schools in two similar, non-contiguous, metropolitan authorities. Ten propositions on the relationship between policy and action were generated from a literature review and related to literature on school organisation and culture. Empirical data to test them were collected between September 1987 and July 1989, during the development of National Curriculum legislation and statutory instruments but prior to its implementation in secondary schools. Extended interviews were conducted with sixty-six teachers, the six Headteachers, and both Chief Inspectors. Detailed interview reports were confirmed as accurate with each interviewee. National influences were found to be important, particularly public examination reforms. This was attributed to their public use as indicators of school effectiveness, and to teachers' own positions resting on their own examination success for legitimacy. Personal professional values led to the LEA and its officers being dismissed as insignificant: factors internal to the school were more important. Chief among these was teachers' relationships with their departmental colleagues, especially how their perception of their needs and obligations as teachers of particular subjects, with particular epistemologies, affected departmental opportunities as management units to influence individual practice and require conformity to external requirements. Relations with senior staff were also important, and how far informal networks of power and influence operated against the formal hierarchies. Lastly, personal professional values stressed classroom experience as the only satisfactory basis for offering direction or guidance to teachers. This view of the teacher as expert emphasised that teachers must ultimately have autonomy to decide how best to handle classroom situations, and not only downgraded LEA staff and teacher education as sources of assistance, but also worked to prevent teachers from acknowledging problems to their colleagues.

[pt] A pesquisa investiga como professores de História da rede municipal do Rio de Janeiro reinterpretam a política curricular (entendida como orientações e cadernos pedagógicos) em vista da sua autonomia docente e do contexto de sua escola. O referencial teórico utilizado inclui: ciclo de políticas de Ball e Bowe (1996), teoria crítica e pós-crítica de currículo de Giroux (1997), conceito de autonomia docente e autonomia da escola de Barroso (1996) e Contreras (2012) e conceitos sobre ensino da disciplina história com base em Bittencourt (2011). Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, utilizando-se entrevistas que foram realizadas, em sua maioria, durante a greve dos professores ocorrida no ano de 2013, sendo essa mobilização fundamental para perceber como a política educacional é reinterpretada pelos sujeitos da pesquisa. As conclusões revelam que a aplicação das orientações e dos cadernos pedagógicos não segue um padrão. Os professores fazem adaptações tendo em vista: tornar o conhecimento histórico significativo aos estudantes, as condições materiais e o contexto sociocultural da escola em que atuam. Outro aspecto a ressaltar diz respeito à atuação da gestão que interfere na política reduzindo ou ampliando a margem de autonomia dos professores quanto à seleção e a aplicação de materiais didáticos, pois a questão da aprovação dos alunos é supervalorizada por causa da política de metas e bonificação das escolas. / [en] The present research investigates how History teachers of Rio de Janeiro’s county public schools reinterpret the curriculum policy (understood as guidelines and pedagogical material) in view of their teaching autonomy and context of their school. The theoretical framework used includes: police cycle approach of Ball and Bowe (1996), critical theory and post-critical curriculum of Giroux (1997) concept of teaching autonomy and school autonomy of Barroso (1996) and Contreras (2012) and concepts about teaching history discipline based on Bittencourt (2011). This is a qualitative research using interviews that were conducted mostly during the teachers strike occurred in 2013, this mobilization being fundamental to understand how educational policy is reinterpreted by the research subjects. The findings reveal that the application of guidelines and pedagogical notebooks do not follow a unique pattern. Teachers make adjustments in order to: make the historical knowledge significant to students, in view of the material conditions of the school and the sociocultural context in which they operate. Another aspect to be emphasized concerns the proceeding of the management that interferes with policy, reducing or enlarging the margin of autonomy of teachers on the selection and implementation of teaching materials, for the question of the approval of the students is overvalued because of the goals of policy and schools bonuses.