What Matters: Preparing Teachers of Reading

Abstract

A descriptive study was employed to determine differences in knowledge of literacy instruction and perceived preparedness to teach literacy between two groups of teacher candidates enrolled in two different teacher preparation programs at one university. This study investigated which components — coursework, field experience, and collaboration — candidates perceived as best preparing them to teach literacy while enrolled in their program. Data collection instruments included the Survey of Perceptions and the Knowledge Inventory. Both groups of candidates, regardless of program and amount of time in the field, viewed both coursework and field experience as important. Few significant differences were found between candidates in knowledge of literacy instruction. And, while they perceived themselves as prepared to teach literacy, candidates did identify areas of further instructional need.

Reference

Helfrich, S. R., & Bean, R. M. (2011). What matters: Preparing teachers of reading. Reading Horizons 50 (4), 241–62.

Journal

Reading Horizons

Analysis

Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?

Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?

Research Approach

Descriptive study

Geographic Setting

Mid-Atlantic US

Institutional Context

University based

Certification Level

Programatic Focus

not stated

Research Location Context

Multiple contexts across programs

Preservice Participants

Post bachs (university based program)

Preservice Sample Size

103

Duration of Data Collection

Not clear

Data Sources

Knowledge Inventory (Florida Center for Reading Research)
Survey

Data Analysis Tools

Descriptive Analysis
Paired T-test

Researcher Positionality

not stated

Research Questions

"How do teacher candidates enrolled in two different preparation programs - a Master's of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and a Professional Year (PY) program - perceive specific aspects of their program: coursework, field experience, and collaboration with others?" (p. 242)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes

"How do teacher candidates enrolled in the MAT and PY programs perform on a test that measures knowledge of primary reading instruction?" (p. 242)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes