This study examines the gap between theory and practice in Popular Education, discusses the implications, and explores ways in which training can promote better linkages between the two domains. Its central concern is that this discrepancy hinders conceptual development and theoretically informed practice in the field. The specific vehicles for inquiry are (1) a critical assessment of the relation between theory and practice as seen in the literature and in Latin American programs, and (2) an analysis of a training program for popular educators to illustrate options for linkage. Initially the author presents the characteristics of Popular Education as seen from the perspective of practitioners in the reports of their regional meetings, from a comparative study of 17 Popular Education Programs, and from the literature on Popular Education. He also critically reviews the literature and perspective of researchers to identify divergences between theory and practice, to assess problems that result, and to find alternative strategies for linkage. The study next focuses on training in order to analyze how the gap between theory and practice can be either widened through an "instrumental", approach to training, or narrowed through a "holistic" training strategy. Then the Training Program for Popular Educators at the University del Valle of Colombia is introduced as a program that attempts to implement a holistic training strategy. This case study is based on documents produced during its design and implementation, interviews, and participant observation of the author. It is used to understand how such a program can mediate between the theory of Popular Education and the practice of its participants as popular educators on the community level. The attributes of Popular Education are used as criteria for analyzing this strategy and examining how it put principles into practice. Problems encountered were obstacles in assessing the pertinence of these principles within the context of the program, constraints presented by the University, and habits or attitudes of teachers and participants affecting the adoption of important principles. Finally, there are concluding observations on Popular Education theory and suggestions for how training programs and further research can contribute to the need for linking theory and practice.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Many new teachers will be hired in the decades to come. A school administrator screening candidates for teaching positions is faced with a decision that can have long-term consequences for a community, a school, and thousands of children. Finding the best candidates for teaching positions has never been more important. A variety of questions centering on prior experience, knowledge, or expertise may be asked by those responsible for screening candidates, yet there is another area of importance to be considered in the process, that of dispositions. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation [CAEP], formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education [NCATE] (2008), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium [INTASC] (2010) have emphasized the need to identify dispositions in addition to the knowledge and skills that have historically received emphasis by school districts seeking candidates and institutions preparing them. In response to this emphasis, administrators may benefit from a greater understanding of dispositions when interviewing and making hiring decisions. Administrators will also benefit by greater knowledge of the questions asked to determine if a candidate possessed a particular disposition. The research procedure uses a focus group format to conduct a multi-round survey/discussion to obtain input and consensus on two asked of school administrators: (1)'What do administrators believe are the critical dispositions a teacher candidate must possess?' and (2) 'Do administrators believe that a person can ask candidates questions to determine if they possess those dispositions? If so, what are the questions administrators can ask to determine if the candidates possess those dispositions?' Recommendations on dispositions that should be assessed and questions that may be used in the assessment of those dispositions will be developed from the results of the study. The focus group identified 19 dispositions and 74 interview questions within 5 theme groupings. These groupings included: beliefs about children, attitudes/beliefs – willingness to act, job-related skill, structure, and other personal attributes/traits. / Ed. D.

This is a study to ascertain the current qualifications and status of the industrial arts teachers employed in the elementary, junior, and senior high schools in the state of Texas. The purpose of this study is threefold: 1) to hypothesize that the qualifications and status of Texas industrial arts teachers have improved within the last fourteen years; 2) to hypothesize that those industrial arts teachers who were active in professional organizations have higher academic qualifications and status than those teachers who were not active in professional organizations; and 3) to hypothesize that industrial arts programs under the guidance of those teachers who were active members of professional organizations had a more complete industrial arts program and offer a wider selection of courses than those not.

You can always fall back into teaching. This thesis explores the meaning of this statement as it pertains to teachers’ motivations related to their careers, the decisions they make in both their daily work and their professional goals, and the consequences of those decisions. I investigate why teachers choose to teach. What are the reasons that lead teachers to ‘fall back’ into teaching? Upon beginning their career, what do these teachers experience during their daily work in the classroom? How do they negotiate how they feel with what they do? Falling back into teaching is an arts-informed thesis. I am an artist and a researcher who communicates in text and images. I combine autobiographical writing and the language of art, the elements of design, to explain my academic and artistic journey. The thesis employs the metaphor of a triptych, a three-paneled painting that has been and continues to be used specifically by visual artists. The left panel encompasses the introduction; a definition of 'fallback', an explanation of arts-informed inquiry as a method for researching fallback, and a first meeting with my parents and me who inform the thesis. The middle panel follows my research process in understanding 'fallback' using the elements of design: line, shape, space, colour, value and texture. The final panel provides a reflection on the process and a response to those who have read and relate to 'fallback'.

You can always fall back into teaching. This thesis explores the meaning of this statement as it pertains to teachers’ motivations related to their careers, the decisions they make in both their daily work and their professional goals, and the consequences of those decisions. I investigate why teachers choose to teach. What are the reasons that lead teachers to ‘fall back’ into teaching? Upon beginning their career, what do these teachers experience during their daily work in the classroom? How do they negotiate how they feel with what they do? Falling back into teaching is an arts-informed thesis. I am an artist and a researcher who communicates in text and images. I combine autobiographical writing and the language of art, the elements of design, to explain my academic and artistic journey. The thesis employs the metaphor of a triptych, a three-paneled painting that has been and continues to be used specifically by visual artists. The left panel encompasses the introduction; a definition of 'fallback', an explanation of arts-informed inquiry as a method for researching fallback, and a first meeting with my parents and me who inform the thesis. The middle panel follows my research process in understanding 'fallback' using the elements of design: line, shape, space, colour, value and texture. The final panel provides a reflection on the process and a response to those who have read and relate to 'fallback'.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has declared reading failure a national public health issue. Approximately 15-20 % of the US population displays one or more symptoms of dyslexia: a specific learning disability that affects an individual's ability to process language. Consequently, elementary school teachers are teaching students who struggle with inaccurate or slow reading, poor spelling, poor writing, and other language processing difficulties. However, studies have indicated both preservice and inservice teachers lack essential knowledge needed to teach struggling readers, particularly children with dyslexia. Few studies have sought to assess teachers', either preservice or inservice, knowledge and perceptions about dyslexia in conjunction with knowledge of basic language concepts related to reading instruction. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine elementary school preservice and inservice teachers' knowledge of basic language concepts and their knowledge and perceptions about dyslexia. Three separate studies were conducted, all addressing the overarching question: Are elementary teachers (K-5) prepared to teach struggling readers? In study one, research that has addressed teacher knowledge of basic language concepts was reviewed systematically. In studies two and three, a basic language constructs survey was used to assess the self-perceptions/knowledge of basic language concepts and knowledge/perceptions about the nature of dyslexia of preservice, first year, and more experienced teachers involved in teaching reading in grades K-5.