Evaluation of elementary student teachers' and their methods instructors' responses at four local universities

Kimberly Dawn Lockwood, Tennessee State University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if significant differences existed among four local universities' teacher education programs. While it has been demonstrated that many teacher education reform movements have occurred, the research suggest the results of national, state, and local reform movements have been varied. The sample for this study included 147 pre-service, student teachers and 14 of their methods instructors from four local universities. Each institution, was within forty miles of the others, but drew from different segments of the population. Ventures For Excellence, a Nebraskan teacher selection company, provided the survey instrument that was utilized to assess the four different teacher education programs. Ventures For Excellence provided the survey, provided the criteria for evaluating the survey, and scored the survey themselves based on their own criteria. To analyze the results of the data, two ANOVA tests and one unpaired T-test were utilized. Responses from the questionnaire produced the subsequent results: (1) Eight questions were worded to elicit responses that measured the pre-service, elementary student teachers at four local universities. When the questions were analyzed as a group, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores between University #1 and the other three universities. (2) The same eight questions were also answered by the pre-service, elementary student teachers' methods instructors. When their responses were analyzed as a group, there was no statistically significant difference among the universities. However, when the methods instructors' responses were compared to the pre-service, student teacher responses, there was a statistical significant difference, with the methods instructors scoring higher than the pre-service, elementary student teachers. (3) According to the Ventures For Excellence's criteria, neither of the groups, the pre-service, elementary student teachers nor the methods instructors, from the four universities obtained the adequate 4.0 mean score, although many did achieve scores of (+) on individual items. (4) After examining the four universities' mission statements, curricula and syllabi, there appeared to be a discernable relationship between each universities' “focus” and the pre-service, student teachers' responses. This study indicated that the significant difference between University #1 and the other three universities should warrant further study. Further focus should be placed on the communication between local universities.

Subject Area

Teacher education|Curricula|Teaching

Recommended Citation

Kimberly Dawn Lockwood, "Evaluation of elementary student teachers' and their methods instructors' responses at four local universities" (2001). ETD Collection for Tennessee State University. Paper AAI3061756.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3061756

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