Date of Award
Spring 5-2012
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Committee Chair
Michael Ward
Committee Chair Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Committee Member 2
James T. Johnson
Committee Member 3
Gaylynn A. Parker
Committee Member 3 Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Committee Member 4
Ronald Styron
Committee Member 4 Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed-method study was to determine if there is a significant difference between the achievement of students who are taught by traditionally prepared teachers and that of students who are taught by alternatively prepared teachers. The study further addressed the perspectives of both groups of teachers regarding selected dimensions of teaching.
The findings indicated that, overall, no significant difference existed in student achievement on MCT2 math scores for teachers who were alternatively prepared or traditionally prepared. However, there were significant differences in student achievement in grades 6 and 7 when examined by teacher preparation type. There was a significant difference in student scores based on teachers’ years of experience when teacher preparation was not a factor. Students who received free/reduced lunches did not show a significant difference on the MCT2 mathematics assessments when compared to students who did not receive free/reduced lunches when they were taught by traditionally prepared math teachers.
For the qualitative phase, six traditionally prepared and alternatively prepared math teachers who taught grades 6-8, were interviewed. The teacher responses were organized and corresponding themes were analyzed using a thematic code development method.
The qualitative results support the notion, in part, that traditionally prepared and alternatively prepared math teachers perceived selected dimensions of teaching similarly. However, traditionally prepared teachers did not consider differentiating instruction as important as did alternatively prepared teachers. The study also addressed recommendations for policy and future research.
Copyright
2012, Patricia Lewis Moss
Recommended Citation
Moss, Patricia Lewis, "Teacher Certification and Student Achievement" (2012). Dissertations. 814.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/814
Included in
Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons