Preservice teachers and parents: Using a reading course to change perceptions and practice

Abstract

The authors sought to understand preservice teachers’ views about parents of students who struggle with reading and about their own preparedness to deal with such parents. Research, including surveys, student evaluation and tutoring intervention, indicates that before their work with parents and students, preservice teachers held strong beliefs about parents’ role and responsibilities with respect to their children who find reading daunting. After a semester-long reading course which provided opportunities to work with struggling readers and their parents, the preservice teachers in this study expressed beliefs that were contrary to the ones they offered at the beginning of the course.

Reference

Rohr, J. &, He, Y. (2010) Preservice teachers and parents: Using a reading course to change perceptions and practice, Educational Studies, (36)1, 35-45, DOI:10.1080/03055690903148530

Journal

Educational Studies

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

Survey

Geographic Setting

Southeastern United States

Institutional Context

University based

Certification Level

Not stated

Programatic Focus

not stated

Research Location Context

Reading methods

Preservice Participants

undergraduate preservice teachers

Preservice Sample Size

Duration of Data Collection

Academic Semester

Data Sources

Survey

Data Analysis Tools

Descriptive Analysis
Paired T-test

Researcher Positionality

Inside (studying their own programs)

Research Questions

"What do preservice teachers believe about the parents of struggling readers?" (p. 36).
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes

"What are preservice teachers’ perceptions about their preparedness for interacting with parents of struggling readers?" (p. 36).
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes

"What will be the effects on preservice teachers of a teacher education course that involves parents and struggling readers?" (p. 36).
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes