The readiness is all The degree level qualifications and preparedness of initial teacher trainees in English
Abstract
This article is the first of two reporting research concerned with the profile of degree level qualifications of initial teacher trainees who start Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) Secondary English courses. In a context where there is no existing database of such information, the researchers sought to establish the patterns in this profile and collate a summary of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) tutors’ perceptions about the level of subject knowledge preparedness of students with different degree level qualifications. Following from this, the enquiry was also interested in the ways that PGCE institutions support students with different subject knowledge development needs. The article that follows below treats the issue of degree qualifications and the PGCE selection process in the context of recent changes to subject English. The evidence suggests patterned but divergent practices with an overall trend of preference for prior qualifications in English Literature despite significant alterations in the study of English since 1980. PGCE courses surveyed attract many more applicants than there were places and tutors exercise considerable discretion in admissions practices which are not always made transparent by published policies and rationales, including those made available to prospective applicants. The review of the literature showed little published discourse on this topic to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Reference
Blake, J., & Shortis, T. (2010). The readiness is all The degree level qualifications and preparedness of initial teacher trainees in English. English In Education, 44(2), 89-109. doi:10.1111/j.1754-8845.2010.01068.x
Journal
English in Education
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- Post Graduate Certification in Education (PGCE)
Preservice Sample Size
35
Other Participant Data
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Interviews
- Survey
- Transcriptions
Data Analysis Tools
- open coding and examined for emergent themes
Researcher Positionality
Research Questions
What are the patterns of recruitment to PGCE Secondary English courses? p.90
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Combination
What are the "initial qualifications of prospective student teachers, or trainees, applying to university education departments for one year full time postgraduate courses equipping them to teach English to students between the ages of 11 and 19 (Key Stages 3-5)"? p.90
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown