A Study to Investigate How Undergraduate Elementary Degree Teacher Preparation Programs in Virginia are Preparing Preservice Teachers to Engage in Family-School Partnerships
| Autor: | Smith, Mallory Lynn |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2024 |
| Předmět: | |
| Druh dokumentu: | Dissertation |
| Popis: | The purpose of this study was to investigate how elementary teacher preparation programs (TPPs) in Virginia are preparing undergraduate students to engage with families in developing family-school partnerships. Preservice teachers are completing their TPPs with little to no coursework or field experiences working with families (Epstein and Sheldon, 2023; Patte, 2011; Walker and Dotger, 2012; Zygmunt-Fillwalk, 2011). Previous research suggests beginning teachers are entering the field having had limited opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills, and practices for family engagement. This qualitative study involved one-on-one interviews with nine professors or program coordinators from the undergraduate elementary education teacher preparation program at seven public four-year institutions in Virginia. Interview questions sought the perceptions, coursework, and practices of family engagement that are used to prepare elementary teachers to communicate and establish a welcoming culture for families of their students. Interview data was analyzed through the Data Analysis Spiral process using descriptive coding and theming as primary coding methods. The outcomes of this qualitative study indicated that while professors value family engagement concepts such as school and community partnerships, communicating with families, and culturally responsive work, limited opportunities continue to exist for direct instruction and preservice teacher practice in partnering with families. Implications included suggestions for increased coursework in family engagement with direct instruction and hands-on opportunities for preservice teachers to engage with families, revisions to elementary education program plans of study, and the inclusion of required family engagement coursework for licensure. Doctor of Education Preservice teachers are completing their teacher preparation programs (TPPs) with little to no coursework or field experiences working with families. Previous research suggests beginning teachers are entering the field having had limited opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills, and practices for family engagement. The purpose of this study was to investigate how elementary TPPs in Virginia are preparing undergraduate students to engage with families in developing family-school partnerships. To identify program coordinator and professor perceptions and practices to prepare teachers to engage with families in family-school partnerships, a basic qualitative methodology was employed. Individual online interviews were conducted with nine program coordinators and professors from the undergraduate elementary TPP at seven public four-year institutions in Virginia. Interview data was analyzed through the Data Analysis Spiral process using descriptive coding and theming as primary coding methods. The outcomes of the study indicate that while professors value family engagement concepts such as school and community partnerships, communicating with families, and culturally responsive work, limited opportunities continue to exist for direct instruction and preservice teacher practice in partnering with families. Implications included suggestions for increased coursework in family engagement with direct instruction and hands-on opportunities for preservice teachers to engage with families, revisions to elementary education program plans of study, and the inclusion of required family engagement coursework for licensure. |
| Databáze: | Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations |
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