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?
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
- Multiple contexts across programs
Preservice Participants
- Post bachs (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
103
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Knowledge Inventory (Florida Center for Reading Research)
- Survey
Data Analysis Tools
- Descriptive Analysis
- Paired T-test
Researcher Positionality
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