Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study was to compare middle level teachers' perception of their working environment under two different organizational structures: departmental (DEP) and Interdisciplinary Teaming Organization (ITO). In addition within the ITO schools, this study compared the working environment perception of teachers between different schools and between team members and non-team members. ITO is characterized by organizing teams of teachers around a core of subjects and providing them with a block of time, a common planning period, and shared students. Studies suggested that ITO provided circumstances for increased cooperation among teachers and enhanced decision making participation comparing to DEP schools. As a consequence teachers reported more job satisfaction and higher level of efficacy. However, very few studies were found to study these differences at the school level. The sample of this investigation consisted of 78 middle level teachers--Forty-seven teachers from two middle schools with ITO and thirty-one teachers from two DEP junior high schools. Subjects were administered a slightly modified questionnaire, previously used with elementary teachers, consisting of 16 different scales depicting the various aspects of the teachers' working environment. In addition, in order to enhance the analysis of the results other data was collected through open-ended interviews, as well as 2-way Analysis of Variance of teacher background components was conducted. The findings revealed: (1) ITO teachers felt more positive than DEP teachers with regard to the factors: faculty cohesiveness; socialization and recruitment of new teachers; goal-setting; teacher evaluation; instructional coordination; homogeneity and shared values; and instructional rewards. No significant differences were obtained with regard to job satisfaction, efficacy and decision making participation. (2) No significant differences in attitudes were obtained between ITO members and non-members within each ITO school. (3) Teachers in ITO 2 school felt more positive than ITO 1 teachers on only three scales: decision making participation, managing student behavior, and instructional rewards. Results suggest that ITO has a positive impact on the teachers' working environment, however, decision making participation, job satisfaction and efficacy level may be affected more by other factors. Future research should focus on improving the effectiveness of ITO.

The secondary teaching profession in Brazil is compared with the secondary teaching profession in the United States. The role of the secondary teaching profession is influenced by cultural values and beliefs, as well as by social and economic conditions. Similarities and differences in the role and preparation of secondary teachers in Brazil and the United States are identified and related to the historical and cultural contexts in which they have developed. The role of the secondary teaching professions in these two cultures is examined through the analysis of two types of data. Historical trends and cultural processes which have influenced the development of the secondary teaching professions are identified through a comparison of information obtained from the education literature. A second body of data consisted of information about professional status and job satisfaction collected through questionnaires distributed to secondary teachers in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro and Tucson, Arizona. Qualitative as well as quantitative techniques were used to analyze these data, so that cultural values and beliefs could be identified along with statistically significant differences in the teachers' responses. When historical and cultural factors affecting secondary education were examined, five major patterns were identified. These patterns were related to the role of the Catholic church in education, the social function of education, centralization of the educational system, the social and political organizations shaping secondary education, and funding for education. Questionnaire responses indicated that low pay was the most important factor affecting job satisfaction for both Brazilian and American secondary teachers. There were significant differences, however, in the social rankings of education related professions in the two countries. Brazilian teachers ranked the professions of University professor and elementary teachers significantly lower than did the American teachers. American teachers ranked the profession of school principal significantly lower than did the Brazilian teachers. The two groups of teachers shared similar feelings about the effects of factors such as national politics and parental cooperation on their professions.

The investigative study of female teacher leadership at the high school was undertaken to reveal women's leadership roles as they exist and to examine the potential for increasing women's voices in the educational world. The study further desired to identify support systems that could be enhanced to promote and sustain female teacher leadership development. The five ethnographic dialogues showed the prelude for leadership development rested solidly on female pedagogy, on the woman finding her voice and its possibilities in her community. All of the female leaders interviewed had professional engagements that brought them to arenas outside the classroom and their disciplines. Leadership for these female teachers meant actively taking responsibility for improvement or change that necessitated a step beyond the threshold of the familiar classroom. It meant challenging and helping students and colleagues grow and perhaps change through caring and empowerment activities. It meant knowing the community so that leadership risks were minimized. Leadership presented a composite of positive personal and professional growth opportunities. Opportunities challenged female leaders to engage their voices in professional movement and continue their commitment to their community. Female teacher leadership was strongly affected by powers above, administrators, and by attitudes from within the school setting. It was the makeup of the community though, that contributed to the timing of her development or leadership possibilities. The five women's experiences described reoccurring themes instrumental in female teacher leadership to be (a) mastery teaching skills (b) powerful teaching values and goals, (c) effective communication abilities, (d) diverse opportunities for participation, and (e) collegiality. Interviews revealed these women were searching for continuing challenges and growth. / Graduation date: 1998

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A large amount of research has been conducted that establishes that students of all ages hold conceptions about a variety of science topics that are not in line with accepted scientific beliefs. These preconceptions have been identified in a variety of ways in research situations; this study focused on how secondary science teachers actually attempt to diagnose students' preconceptions in the classroom and the understanding the teachers have about these preconceptions. The use the teachers made of any information gathered in a diagnosis and the reasons for a lack of diagnosis were also investigated. Four experienced science teachers were studied in depth, they were interviewed three times and classroom observations were conducted for nine weeks. The teachers' classroom practices, questioning techniques, understanding of students' preconceptions, and assessment of students' understanding were all analyzed. In this study, the teachers did not use any formal strategies for diagnosing students' preconceptions such as concept mapping, interviews, journals, or writing prompts. The teachers studied claimed that it was important to conduct diagnosis but only one teacher was seen to actually do so. The teacher who did use class discussions as a strategy for diagnosis was the most experienced teacher of the four and also the teacher with the strongest subject matter background. The other three teachers all claimed that they did do diagnosis of preconceptions by questioning their students but they were not seen to do this in their classes. The conclusions from these results are that the teachers did not have a complete understanding of the concept of diagnosing students' preconceptions in order to use that information to attempt conceptual change. The teachers' beliefs were not consistent with their practices in this situation; they may have had certain constraints on them that inhibited the translation of their beliefs into practice. The implications are that preservice and inservice teachers may need to be trained about the importance of, the strategies involved with, and the justification for diagnosing students' preconceptions in the regular classroom environment. Teachers must have an understanding of students' preconceptions and the effect they have on students' learning. / Graduation date: 1999

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The student perspective is a largely ignored element of educational research. This study used the college student viewpoint to assess the influence Black high school educators have on their pupils. Given today's reality of racism in this society, the existing literature addressing this topic is inadequate. Using an open-ended questionnaire, the responses of 272 students enrolled in speech communication and education courses at a Northwestern land grant institution were analyzed using a descriptive methodology. Students having no experience with a Black educator answered the questionnaire from an imagined standpoint. Results indicated a large majority of the predominately White subject pool found their Black high school educator(s) to be credible. Aspects of institutionalized racism emerged when students deemed their Black educator(s) credible by measuring them against an assumed "White standard of credibility." Findings from this study provide additional evidence of the racism, albeit covert, in our public school classrooms. / Graduation date: 1998

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The purpose of this study was to explore the current practices used by secondary educators (special education teachers and guidance counselors) and stand alone career and technical education (CTE) center teachers when working with students with disabilities from home high schools participating in secondary CTE programming. In addition, this study looked at the perceptions that each educational system (high school and secondary CTE) had in regards to need and responsibility when working with these shared students. Participants for this study included CTE teachers and administrators from stand alone CTE centers in the state of Indiana and secondary special education teachers and guidance counselors from high schools feeding into those centers. Study participants were provided a paper/pencil survey and asked to respond to survey questions using both Likert-type scale and forced choice questions. Demographic data were gathered that included gender, age, position, years in position, years in education, and current classroom/service delivery setting. Participants were asked to rate statements regarding the level and types of communication and collaboration that were taking place between CTE teachers and their respective high schools (special education teachers and guidance counselors). The study found that there was inconsistency in the methods that were used to share information about students with disabilities and who was responsible for providing that information. A relatively high percentage of respondents did not have any knowledge about how information was shared. The study also found that many respondents (CTE and secondary educators) did not feel regular communication took place between the two systems in regards to students with disabilities. Overall, this study found that the responses provided by CTE and secondary education (special education teachers and guidance counselors) were varied based upon respondents personal involvement or responsibility. Recommendations are made for both local and state follow-up to investigate how CTE and special education are communicating and collaborating on behalf of students with disabilities. Further research is needed in order to establish and implement more consistent practice and process related to communication and collaboration between CTE and high school personnel (special education). This study was exploratory, designed with a targeted sample (n = 131) that provides important results and useful insight that can be instructive for further conversation and research. / Department of Special Education