Practitioners Opinions Concerning Preservice Training of Middle Level Teachers [microform] / Sarah C. Skelton and Michelle C. Harris.
The onset of adolescence brings with it significant changes in the biological, social, and emotional growth and development of students. In an attempt to meet the needs of transescents (early adolescents aged 10-14) middle level programs have been developed and implemented. However, preparation of t...
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| Format: | Microfilm Book |
| Language: | English |
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1991.
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| Summary: | The onset of adolescence brings with it significant changes in the biological, social, and emotional growth and development of students. In an attempt to meet the needs of transescents (early adolescents aged 10-14) middle level programs have been developed and implemented. However, preparation of teachers to work specifically with middle level students has been neglected to a large degree. To remedy this situation, research efforts must be directed toward the needs of teachers working at the middle school level as well as the needs of preservice teachers seeking middle school credentials. Based on the needs indicated by the literature review, the current study explores the opinions of practitioners regarding the need for specialized training at the preservice level. The faculty, all middle school practitioners, (N=50) at 2 public middle schools in rural Alabama were asked to participate in this study by responding to a questionnaire; the return rate of the questionnaires was 68 percent. Twenty-seven respondents answered favorably concerning the need for specialized instruction of preservice middle school teachers. Twenty-eight respondents answered favorably concerning the uniqueness of needs by middle school students. According to the questionnaire results, a number of middle school practitioners feel that preservice teachers in the area of middle school education would benefit from classes with special emphasis on the development and unique needs of transescent students. This information leads to the conclusion that increased specialized classes, including field experiences, should be recommended for exploration or implementation at the college level. (AMH) |
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| Item Description: | ERIC Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Teacher Educators (71st, New Orleans, LA, February 16-20, 1991). ERIC Document Number: ED330651. |
| Physical Description: | 16 pages |
| Reproduction Note: | Microfiche. |
| Action Note: | committed to retain |