A Longitudinal Study of Literacy Teacher Visioning: Traditional Program Graduates and Teach For America Corps Members
Abstract
The current high-stakes educational context compels many schools and school systems to encourage teachers to use restrictive literacy teaching practices, which are unlikely to meet students’ diverse needs. These restrictions typically fall on novice teachers, who enter the field through various preparation routes, because they often work in schools which are difficult to staff. Researchers suggest that literacy teachers with a clear vision for their teaching may have the fortitude to negotiate such obstacles to best meet students’ needs. This study follows teachers’ vision development from their literacy teacher preparation coursework through their beginning years teaching. The participants come from two different preparation routes: a university based program and Teach For America. This study found both similarities and differences in the development of teachers’ visions from these different preparation programs.
Reference
Parsons, S. A., Malloy, J. A., Vaughn, M., & La Croix, L. (2014). A longitudinal study of literacy teacher visioning: Traditional program graduates and Teach For America corps members. Literacy Research and Instruction, 53(2), 134-161.
Journal
Literacy Research and Instruction
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
- Case study
- Instrumental case study
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- Post bachs (alternative cert program)
- Post bachs (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
9
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Interviews
- Observations
- Questionnaire
- University coursework assignment (e.g. writing/project done for a grade)
Data Analysis Tools
Researcher Positionality
- inside (staying their own students)
Research Questions
Research Question 1: What Are These Teachers’ Visions for Teaching, and How Do Their Visions Change Over Time?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
Research Question 2: How Do Teachers Enact These Visions?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown
"Research Question 3: What Obstacles Do These Teachers Face in Enacting Their Visions?" (p. 144).
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown
"Research Question 4: How Do These Teachers Negotiate the Obstacles They Face?" (p. 144).
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown
"Research Question 5: How Do Teachers’ Visions Entering the Profession Through Different Licensure Routes Compare?" (p. 146).
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown