published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Educational Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

<p> Every year, thousands of teachers participate in California's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program in order to complete the requirements needed to obtain a clear teaching credential. Within this program lie various facets of support that serve the needs of beginning teachers and aid them in transitioning from university theory to classroom practice. Despite the long-standing existence of the BTSA program and the changes that have taken place since its development in 1992, the need exists for closer analysis of the programs effect on teaching practices and student achievement. </p><p> This quantitative study analyzes (a) the degree of impact on classroom practice experienced by participating teachers, (b) the components of the program reported to have high levels of strong/moderate impact on classroom practice, (c) the components of the program reported to have high levels of some/no impact on classroom practice and (d) the areas where additional support is desired in order to positively impact student achievement. </p><p> As a means to test the quality and impact of the BTSA program on teachers&rsquo; classroom performances, results from the BTSA Program survey were used. The raw survey data was arranged into a usable format by creating a unified list of questions that aligned across the three survey years. After that, descriptive statistical techniques and data visualization methods were utilized to analyze the data. The study found that there is a year by year decline in average ratings with respect to classroom impact, teacher response for desired support topics, and responses for reasons to not continue teaching. </p><p> This study focuses on the impact of the BTSA Program on classroom practice and student achievement. The study provides credence in revealing the need for changes within the BTSA Program in order to positively affect classroom practices and student achievement. Although this study is one perspective, it recognizes the need for the perpetual quality support of beginning teachers. </p>

No description available.

It is estimated that nearly 90% of the teaching force is comprised mostly of female middle-class European Americans; whereas the student population has become increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse. These teachers have been isolated from a significant part of the population they are likely to teach and have developed entrenched, ethnocentric identities with little, if any, knowledge about or experience with culturally or linguistically diverse children (Finney & Orr, 1995; Ladson-Billings, 1991). It is this concern which served as a catalyst for the present research study in pedagogical possibility for culturally diverse students. Since research studies in both inservice and preservice training in cultural diversity and multicultural education have indicated limited success. The present study focused on how four exemplary elementary school teachers developed their pedagogical practices for teaching in culturally diverse settings. Three broad areas were investigated: (a) background, (b) practice, and (c) origin of practice. The findings indicate that teachers who are known for their exemplary practices with culturally diverse populations of students adopt a relaxed, child-focused approach to classroom activities. The teachers believe that their students can be successful, and they have a strong sense of their own efficacy as professionals. With regard to culture, these teachers expressed a clear view of their own cultural identity and celebrated the cultural diversity and richness in their classes. They encouraged their students to expend effort, take risks, and raise questions. They structured their classroom to engender a sense of community and a collaborative approach to learning. They are passionate about knowledge and learning and see knowledge as an emerging, growing entity. Finally, their practices fit within the broad framework of what is generally understood as developmentally appropriate practice. Formal preparation in preservice or inservice programs were not significant factors in developing their classroom understandings or practices. Personal background and classroom contacts appear, from these interviews, to be the primary factors shaping the practices of these exemplary teachers. In addition, the teachers mentioned mentors and significant others in their personal lives who gave them a sense of confidence, love of self, and dedication to education.

No description available.

No description available.

Two preservice English teachers' theories of the content regarding English and its teaching were elicited through several interactive interview tasks. Belief exploration tasks (concept mapping, text and topic sorting sentence completions, lesson plans, and writing the personal theory of the content) encouraged the participants to express and share their personal theories about English teaching. Pedagogical interpretation tasks (analyses of their own teaching experiences, reflections on cases of other English teachers, responses to pictures of teachers, and hypothetical situations) encouraged the participants to contemplate and rationalize their own and others' teaching decisions. The completed written tasks, additional lesson plans, and interview transcripts of task discussions were compiled in each participant's personal content belief archive. Both participants' archives were analyzed to compare the content and the manner of their responses to each task. The participants related personal experiences, lesson ideas, comments about students, and beliefs about English and teaching. The participants hesitated or requested clarifications during some tasks but confidently completed others. Besides content and confidence, differences in rate of speech and tone indicated the very personal nature of these beliefs. Each participant also reviewed and analyzed her own archive at various points, supporting, clarifying, and exemplifying the conclusions reached by the researcher. Each participant's archive was further analyzed to identify trends in personal theories. A comparison between participants suggested both held personal theories about the role of the teacher, the specific English content and skills students should be taught, the usefulness of these skills, and the means each used to continue learning about English and its teaching. Ultimately, the participants referenced their theories of the content and their attempts to enact them as they discussed their student teaching. Implications included the increased reflection by the participants after completing the tasks and analyzing their archives, and the depth and variety of information about preservice teachers' practical knowledge gathered through the study tasks. Thus, the study added to what is currently known about preservice teachers' knowledge and their ability to articulate and reflect on their knowledge as they teach and learn.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to collect from University of Arizona secondary education graduates information regarding first-year employment and retention, perceived professional preparedness, perceived effectiveness as first-year teachers, types and perceived effectiveness of district induction support, and interest in receiving induction support from the university in the first year of teaching. This information would shed light on the potential role of the university in providing inductive support to graduates. Eighty-three percent of respondents entered teaching, and 93% were still teaching at the time of the study. However, 35% either planned to leave or contemplated leaving the profession in the future. Many experienced challenging first-year assignments. For respondents in their first-year of teaching, the decision to remain in teaching was linked to perceptions of teaching effectiveness and the effectiveness of induction received. Graduates felt "somewhat prepared" to teach upon graduation, except for master's program graduates who felt significantly better prepared. They felt "somewhat effective" as first-year teachers. There was a positive correlation between perceived preparedness and first-year teaching effectiveness. Respondents recommended modifications to preservice programs, including more coursework in classroom management and planning, extended time in schools, and increased relevance of coursework. The quality of district inductive support varied tremendously, with many receiving insufficient support, particularly from rural or charter schools. The most common support included administrative observations and orientations. Far fewer were mentored, provided with professional training or support sessions, observed by staff development specialists, or given release time to observe others. Respondents felt their district induction was "not very effective." There was a positive correlation between perceived first-year teaching effectiveness and effectiveness of induction. Finally, 79% would have been interested in receiving assistance from the university during their first year, requesting training in classroom management, planning, and content-specific methods. They also recommended support sessions for new teachers, observations, and on-line support. It was concluded that the university could play a valuable role in providing inductive support to graduates.

No description available.