Thesis advisor: Marilyn Cochran-Smith / Teacher quality is a central concern of the profession. College-based teacher education, the core of teacher preparation in the United States, has increasingly included some form of practitioner inquiry in the pre-service program to encourage teacher candidates to be reflective, adaptive teachers who systematically and intentionally examine practice to improve pupil outcomes and continue their own professional development. While it is assumed that pre-service practitioner inquiry has a positive influence on pupils' learning, there is still little empirical evidence to support this assertion. Most empirical data on pre-service practitioner inquiry is confined to a short time period and does not examine what happens to pre-service candidates when they enter their own classrooms. Additionally, this research is generally conducted using interpretive qualitative methods. Thus, this dissertation uses a longitudinal mixed methods approach to examine what happens when teacher candidates engage in practitioner research in a pre-service program focused on inquiry with the goal of improving pupil learning. A modified sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed as the best means of addressing this complex question. The study included data from three sources in a teacher preparation program focused on practitioner inquiry. The first analysis took a broad view of the quality and range of teacher candidates' research papers through the analysis of rubric scores for 92 teacher candidate inquiry papers in two cohorts (spring, 2006 and spring, 2007). Looking at the quality and nature of these projects, content analysis on a sample of twelve papers taken from the range of these scores was conducted. Finally, in-depth case studies of two participants were developed using data accumulated during the one-year pre-service program and through the first two years in the classroom. Findings in the quantitative analysis indicated that the rubric was reliable in differentiating among papers, but that there were fewer outstanding inquiries than expected, which were not explained by analysis of the scores. Content analysis of a sample of these papers indicated that differences were in how questions were formed; candidates' ability to interpret and use data recursively; whether and how candidates connected their learning to pupil learning; and if candidates connected their inquiry to issues of social justice in meaningful ways. The case studies showed that several factors influenced whether and how candidates moved toward the development of inquiry as stance. These factors included candidates' view of inquiry; teacher capacity; demands of curriculum planning and development; understandings of learning to teach for social justice; as well as school support and context. Overall, the three analyses in this dissertation indicated that requiring teacher candidates to engage in pre-service practitioner inquiry did not guarantee that they would understand inquiry as intended, develop an inquiry stance, or continue to inquire into practice in their own classrooms. These findings suggest implications for research, practice, and policy, which are discussed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Purpose. The problem of this study was to determine the present practices in the selection and preparation of off-campus supervising teachers in accredited elementary education programs in state-supported teacher education institutions in the United States. (Abstract shortened.)

The problem of this study was to determine the relationships among selected predictor variables in order to identify the combination of variables which best predicts scores on the National Teacher Examination-Weighted Common Examination Total Score. The identified variables were sex, teaching level, ACT composite scores, teacher education admission grade-point averages, CAT scores in Reading, Mathematics, and English, and Professional Education sequence grade-point averages. Nine hypotheses comprised the basis of this study. The first eight hypotheses pertained to the bivariate relationship of each predictor variable and the NTE-WCET scores. Hypothesis nine concerned the relationships of the combination of the predictor variables to the NTE-WCET scores. The 99 subjects of this study were drawn from 186 applicants for initial teaching certification in Tennessee during the 1981 calendar year. Selection was dependent upon the subjects having the grade-point averages and scores used as variables recorded and reported to East Tennessee State University. Pearson product-moment/and point-biserial correlations were used to determine the relationship between each predictor and the criterion. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the combination of variables which correlate significantly with the NTE-WCET scores. The .05 level was considered in determining significance. Analysis of the relationship of predictors with the NTE-WCET scores revealed that sex and teaching level did not correlate significantly. ACT composite scores, CAT Reading scores, CAT Math scores, CAT English scores, teacher education admission grade-point averages, and Professional Education sequence grade-point averages correlated significantly at the .0001 level. ACT composite score and CAT Reading scores shared the greatest common variance with NTE-WCET scores at 74.23 percent and 61.88 percent respectively. Analysis of a significant correlation between the NTE-WCET scores and a combination of all eight predictors showed a significant correlation at the .0001 level. Analysis of the significance of each predictor to the R('2) increase showed that ACT composite scores, CAT Reading scores, and CAT English scores were significant at the .05 level.

Purpose. The problem of this study was to determine the present practices in the selection and preparation of off-campus supervising teachers in accredited elementary education programs in state-supported teacher education institutions in the United States. (Abstract shortened.)

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors of agreement or disagreement between a group of public school principals and a group of teacher educators concerning their perceptions of the relative Importance of specific teaching behaviors to the success of the beginning classroom teacher. (Abstract shortened.)

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to observe, analyze, and compare teacher verbal and non verbal behaviors as they were exhibited toward students in both traditional class rooms and open-space class rooms. Particular emphasis was placed on determining the degree, if any, to which teachers in open-space class rooms were more indirect and encouraging than direct and restricting in their behaviors than teachers in traditional class rooms. (Abstract shortened.)

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a pilot training program on teaching skills and determine if such a program could significantly improve the teaching behavior of resident physicians in the East Tennessee State University College of Medicine. (Abstract shortened.)

abstract: ABSTRACT This action research case study explored the ways participation in a teacher leader learning community contributed to the identity development of teacher leaders at the Canajoharie Central School District. The goal of the study was to identify how a teacher leader learning community supported the identity of teacher leaders in their work. This action research study used a case study methodology and included qualitative and quantitative data collection. Purposive sampling identified six participants for the study. The qualitative data collection included initial and final one-on-one semi-structured interviews, meeting observation notes, research journal entries and peer interaction logs. Quantitative data were gathered using pre- and post- innovation surveys. Participants completed a pre-innovation survey and initial interview prior to the start of the innovation. Structured teacher leader learning community meetings were conducted over a four-month period of time in the Fall of 2018. Study participants led the design of collaborative group norms and meeting protocols. Participants facilitated the teacher leader learning community meetings. At the conclusion of the study period participants completed a post-innovation survey and final interview. Meeting observation notes, research journal entries and peer interaction log data were collected during the study period. Analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data of this study suggests that teacher leader identity is supported by participation in a structured teacher leader learning community. Teacher leaders benefitted from a formal structure through which to share successes, problem-solve situations and continue growth as leaders. The findings also suggest that meeting norms and protocols benefit the work of the teacher leaders in the learning community. These findings are consistent with previous research studies which indicate that teacher leaders need opportunities to come together and network to sustain their work. The findings from this action research study may assist other school districts in supporting teacher leaders in their local context. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2016

Currently in secondary education, there is an impetus to have educators collaborate; however, teaching has often been perceived as a solitary occupation, and often logistics prevent collaboration from occurring. Furthermore, the stress of the job, teaching of different disciplines, and low morale can often prevent teachers from collaboration. The research problem addressed in this study reflects the challenges that teachers have with engaging in collaboration. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to understand how teachers are affected by collaboration, the barriers that prevent collaboration, and the possible benefits of collaboration. This case study is grounded in the constructivist theory, which holds that people learn from sharing in social settings. A qualitative case study design focused upon interviews with 18 educators, observations of collaborative sessions, and document analysis. Textual analysis of the interviews and documents through a taxonomic system of coding helped to generate themes about collaboration. Furthermore, these interview data were triangulated with observations and collaborative documents and showed consistent themes. This resulted in an aggregate of five themes including consistent definitions of collaboration and morale, an understanding that collaboration has positively affected the morale of these teachers in terms of more planning time, and a more collegial atmosphere; however, barriers such as time , which was still perceived as preventing the collaborative process. Implications for positive social change include a higher morale throughout the school that will foster a greater sense of community and environment more conducive to learning as teachers are better able to dedicate themselves to their profession, colleagues, and students.