Master of Science

This study sought to develop (1) a personal and professional profile of supervising administrators of UCF Educational Leadership administrative interns, (2) to determine the extent to which supervising administrators facilitated opportunities for UCF Educational Leadership administrative interns to grow in skill and knowledge in regard to 19 Florida Principal Competencies, (3) to determine the extent to which supervising administrators facilitated opportunities in the UCF Ten Areas of Administrator Responsibility, and (4) to determine the extent to which supervising administrators perceived themselves to have impacted the administrative career of their UCF Educational Leadership administrative intern subsequent to the internship. The study was based on data derived from the responses of central Florida public school administrators who had supervised interns. The completed surveys yielded a usable return rate of 76% (N = 124). Through their responses, supervising administrators affirmed the facilitation of practice opportunities in the 19 Florida Principal Competencies for their interns. Opportunities for practice in several competencies need strengthening through formal coursework or field-based experiences. Responses from supervising administrators indicated that the UCF Ten Areas of Administrator Responsibility, surveyed through specific duties, remained appropriate for the framework of the internship experience. Depending on the educational level at which the internship is experienced, certain duties may not be addressed thoroughly or at all. Implications for practice and recommendations for future studies dealing with supervising administrators' facilitation of internship experiences for UCF Educational Leadership administrative interns were made.

The purpose of this study was to determine attitude and attitude change toward,student teaching as expressed by students who were pursuing certification to teach speech and/or drama courses in the public school at the secondary level.

abstract: Arizona State University's (ASU) teacher education program has been restructured several times in the last two decades to train teachers to teach children more effectively by responding to their individual needs and learning demands. One of the reasons for restructuring was to respond to new licensing requirements by the State. To serve young children's needs, the state of Arizona required individuals working with young children to obtain either early childhood licensing or endorsement by January, 2009. Responding to these new requirements, ASU now requires student teaching in a preschool setting in addition to the existing Kindergarten to third grade student teaching and internship requirements. This study addressed the question of teacher preparation and self-efficacy based on this newly restructured teaching model used in the ASU Tempe teacher education program. The following questions guided this study: 1) What effects do beginning teachers perceive that their split-student teaching experiences have on their experience as a new teacher; 2) How do beginning teachers' prior schooling, educational, and personal background influence their current teaching; and 3) What role does home, family, and collegial support play as beginning teachers start their teaching career? A qualitative case study research method was utilized in this study. Two face-to-face, in-depth individual interviews and one focus group interview with three second-year and two third-year beginning teachers were utilized to understand their experiences in the program and in their beginning years of teaching. An analysis of interview data revealed beginning teachers' student teaching experiences partially fulfilled their need of having adequate in-classroom experience before starting their teaching careers; yet they highlighted some suggestions for student teaching assignments to better prepare prospective teacher candidates in the program. Moreover, they expressed both satisfaction and dissatisfaction toward courses taken in the program. Their statements also emphasized the importance of having effective mentorship in their student teaching and first year of teaching. Support from administration, experienced colleagues, friends, and family members were also acknowledged as highly valuable as they struggled with issues in their beginning career. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction 2010

This study develops guidelines and an in-service model for secondary teachers supervising student teachers. The study provides guidelines for developing in-service teacher supervision activities in secondary schools that serve as student teacher centers. The study seeks to determine selection criteria for supervising teachers; to ascertain in-service program activities considered valid by experienced supervising teachers, administrators and college coordinators; to measure professional reaction toward recent co-operative implementation of Senate Bill Eight; and to assess current in-service programs for supervising teachers in the North Texas area and test their conformity with criteria stated by known authorities. The study reviews literature in topical areas considered by known authorities to be those in which secondary-school supervising teachers must function. A questionnaire was developed, validated and mailed to an aggregate of 239 secondary supervising teachers, college co-ordinators, principals and central office administrators in selected public schools, and colleges and universities in the North Texas area. Collection of data resulted in a 73.6 per cent return in a ten-day period. Degrees of differences among the beliefs of participant groups were revealed by the chi-square measure of significance. It was found that the supervising teacher is the most influential feature of the entire student-teaching program and that in-service staff development programs concentrating on supervision of student teachers are both wanted and needed. It was further found that there is no central trend, in the North Texas area, to meet the desired need. Only ten per cent of the supervising teachers have had formal training in the supervision of student teachers. Those who were least familiar with Senate Bill Eight and the Texas Education Agency's guidelines supported one to three two-hour, inservice sessions per year. Central office administrators supported from four to six two-hour, in-service sessions per year.

submitted by Kwong Yee Fan, Edmond. / Added t.p. in Chinese and English. / Thesis (M.A.Ed.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-145). / Abstract --- p.ii / Chapter / Chapter I --- Introduction / Background of Study --- p.1 / Purposes of Study and Statement of Problem --- p.3 / Scope of Study --- p.5 / Significance of Study --- p.6 / Chapter II --- Literature Review and Theoretical Framework / Purposes of Instructional Supervision --- p.9 / Role and Responsibilities of Instructional Supervisor --- p.11 / Colleagues as Professional Development Resources --- p.14 / Orientations to Clinical Supervision --- p.17 / Clinical Supervision Models --- p.21 / Imperatives in Clinical Supervisory Approach --- p.26 / Theoretical Framework --- p.29 / Chapter III --- Methodology / Research Design --- p.36 / Role of Researcher --- p.37 / Sampling --- p.38 / Data Collection and Instruments --- p.39 / Data Analysis Method --- p.42 / Chapter IV --- Findings / School Profile --- p.48 / Administrative Hierarchy and Staff Relationships--Teachers' Perspectives --- p.50 / English Language Panel Practices --- p.54 / Economics and E.P.A. Panel Practices --- p.76 / Integrated Science Panel Practices --- p.100 / Chapter V --- Discussion and Conclusion --- p.124 / Chapter VI --- Limitations of Study --- p.140 / Chapter VII --- Bibliography --- p.142 / Chapter VIII --- Appendices --- p.146

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

The fundamental aim of undertaking the study was to develop a teaching practice curriculum for teachers colleges in Zimbabwe. In order to accomplish this, basic questions on curriculum development were first investigated These were on curriculum intent, structure and content. In chapter two a conceptual framework for the proposed teaching practice curriculum was investigated. This involved an analysis of the influence of aims of education on curriculum theory and development, issues of curriculum foundations and models of curriculum development. The analysis culminated in the adoption of a cyclical model for the development of the proposed teaching practice curriculum. The cognitive framework of the study was further illuminated through the conceptualisation of the teaching practice curriculum, where philosophical foundations of teaching practice as well as its theoretical contexts were examined. Critical in this was the theory-practice relationship. In chapter four, the prevailing teaching practice situation in Zimbabwe was examined and views of lecturers and students on it analysed. This was accomplished in order to further identify flaws in the current approach to teaching practice which could be improved by means of the proposed teaching practice curriculum. The teaching practice curriculum being proposed was synthesised and developed in chapter five. This curriculum is founded on the philosophical foundations discussed in chapters two and three. It has theoretical components and is implemented in teachers' colleges and schools. It brings to the fore the importance of partnership between the practising schools and colleges as well as reflective teacher education. The development of the proposed teaching practice curriculum resulted in the following outcomes: • An investigation into how theory and practice in teacher education could be integrated. • Suggestions for improving the college-school relationship through the development of partnership in teacher education. • The extrication of theory p-orn practice. • An emphasis on the importance of reflective practice and reflective teacher education. In recommending the adoption and implementation of the curriculum the researcher identified a number of meaningful consequences: • The improvement of teaching practice programmes in colleges. • The development of expertise in the practice of education. • The active involvement of experienced teachers in teacher education and training. • The resurgence of research in the practical aspect of teacher education. / Teacher Education / D. Ed. (Didactics)

The thesis builds on how contemporary policy documents express an interest in gatekeeping and in controlling teacher competence, for instance in the form of aptitude tests before teacher education or during practicum in teacher education. The thesis is hence characterised by a general interest in teacher competence and what in the governmental official report SOU 2008:109 is referred to as “the essential basis” in terms of teacher competence – a metaphor that serves as a key notion in the thesis. By analysing interviews and surveys from teacher educators who have been involved in failing student teachers during practicum, the aim is to identify what is considered to be the content of this essential basis. The results indicate that the essential basis contains communicative and relational aspects of teaching, about the ability to take space (oneself) and make space (for others). The most fundamental part is however the ability to assume adult responsibility and maturity in relation to children/pupils in pre-school/school. This is described as an important initial value for teacher education and a desirable ”baseline” for those starting a teacher education. However, informants describe how it is possible within teacher education to work in multiple ways with students who need to learn how to distinctly take space (themselves), in order to then assume a more active role in teaching and in the interaction with children or adolescents. An approach based on a theory of recognition and the concept of social visibility (Heidegren, 2009) is used in this part of the analysis, in order to understand the informants’ description of what usually happens when student teachers develop this essential teacher ability. The interpretation is also backed by Polanyi’s theory on tacit knowledge (1962; 1966/2013). Moreover, findings indicate that the “gate” sometimes opens, even though teacher educators doubt whether the student teacher has developed an essential basis or not. An argument for this is that school is a workplace that ”cleans out rather briskly”, as one supervisor puts it, and school is ”not an easy environment to hold on to”. In brief, school itself is regarded to be an active gatekeeper after teacher education. This might explain the tendency to sometimes pass rather than to fail during teacher education. Therefore the thesis suggests and discusses that teacher education from the very beginning pursue what can be characterised as a “pedagogy of honesty”.

Research shows that student teachers find the mentor teacher and the student teaching experience itself the two most influential factors in their practicum experience. This study examined five student teachers and the two mentor teachers of each in elementary school settings within a metropolitan school district in North Texas. Lave and Wenger’s (1991, 2002) community of practice theory informed this study. Data sources included mentor teacher interviews, student teacher interviews, student teacher observations, student teacher/mentor teacher dialogue journals, and student teacher reflections. A collective case study approach was followed to gain a detailed understanding of the experiences of the five student teachers, looking specifically at their confidence in teaching and the factors associated with it. Findings indicated that the confidence in teaching of all five student teachers changed throughout their practicum experiences. Results suggested many factors influenced these changes. Student teachers shared that the student teaching experience, the grade level/subjects taught, their relationships with their students, and their relationships with their mentor teachers contributed to their confidence. The mentor teachers perceived that student teachers’ confidence could be influenced by consistency in classroom management and their interactions with their mentor teachers. Two areas of influence on student teacher confidence not uncovered by other researchers were the quest of student teachers for perfection while teaching and the need of mentor teachers for control of the content presented by the student teachers, especially during the months prior to state-mandated testing. Implications of the study included the need for university supervisors to mediate between student teachers and mentor teachers in promoting shared ownership of student learning within that community of practice enabled by student teaching.