The purpose of this study was to determine what specific teacher characteristics, curricula, and course topics are deemed essential by Christian day school administrators for the Taylor University preparation program for Christian day school teachers.The population of the study consisted of elementary and secondary Christian day school administrators from the National Christian School Education Association, National Association of Christian Schools, Mid-Atlantic Christian Schools Association, and the Western Association of Christian Schools. A ninety item questionnaire was mailed to 160 Christian day school administrators, and eighty-one percent or 131 administrators chose to participate in the study. The questionnaire had four parts. Part I of the instrument included general information about the study and asked respondents to answer five demographic questions. Part II contained thirty items which allowed respondents to cite their preferences for specific personal and professional teaching characteristics. Part III listed the course title and the Taylor University catalog description of twenty-three Bible and philosophy courses offered at Taylor. Administrators were asked to rank the importance of each course for candidates preparing to teach in Christian day schools. Part IV asked each respondent School to rank the importance of thirty-two topics which could be included in a course called "Teaching in a Christian. Analysis of the findings from thirty tables discloses that Christian day school administrators stated that asking a candidate to relate a testimony of his personal salvation loomed as significant. Other personal characteristics which ranked high were: seeking candidates who felt "led" or "called" to teach in a Christian school; asking candidates for a philosophy of Christian education; requiring teachers to sign a statement of faith pledge; hiring persons who possess soul-winning skills; and seeking individuals who possess strong patriotic sentiments. The professional characteristic preferences showed that administrators have firm beliefs that teachers and parents be viewed as partners in the teaching and learning process. They seek evidence that candidates practice strong classroom discipline. Methodology items revealed that administrators hold to beliefs related to a "back to basics" approach. Rote, drill, memorization, and assigned written work composed many of the suggested techniques. Preferential selection of candidates from Bible colleges over those from other institutions appears not to be important among the administrators returning questionnaires. The study revealed that Bible courses were strongly .favored over philosophy courses. A list of the courses in priority order is shown in the study. Administrators cited that a candidate who had twelve to fifteen semester hours in Bible is more likely to be considered for a job than a candidate who had no Bible. Data revealed common beliefs among administrators pertaining to what topics should be selected for the course "Teaching in a Christian School." The selection supported information cited in the literature and research chapter where administrators related the importance of one's personal commitment to Christian day school teaching and his being "called" or "led" by God to the ministry of teaching.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/175345 |
| Date | January 1978 |
| Creators | Burnworth, Joe |
| Contributors | Schreiber, Joan E. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vii, 215 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us-in |
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