In Turkey, the profession orientation programs for elementary education students have a critical importance. In the aspect of profession orientation application, the least dealt population is unfortunately the elementary school students. In this study, the problems caused by insufficient orientation and guidance of profession for those students…

This paper describes a study of the effects of an innovative mathematics content course on the beliefs of elementary education majors at Indiana University (Bloomington). The primary focus of the study was on how students' belief systems might have been affected as a result of taking this course. The sample used in the study were eight…

A study probed into the thinking and actions of preservice teachers in an effort to illuminate more clearly the nature of teaching perspectives. The study also investigated the way in which these students organized their perspectives into a practical philosophy of teaching. Psychosocial dynamics underlying the development of the students'…

Elementary education majors (n=22) in a science methods course at a small liberal arts college in the U.S. Midwest were asked to write a paper about science in their own lives. Based upon their writings, the students were categorized according to the five ways of knowing described by Belenky, Clinchy, Goldberger, and Tarule: silence, received,…

This longitudinal study of beginning teachers in Kentucky yields a number of characteristics useful in identifying persons most likely to obtain and retain teaching positions in secondary education. The Western Kentucky University Teacher Preparation Evaluation Program (TPEP), begun in 1971, follows careers of elementary and secondary school…

Evaluations of the effectiveness of distance education courses may be influenced by differences between students who choose to take distance versus on-campus courses. At Utah State University, surveys were completed by 28 students who were enrolled in or had completed distance-education courses in the Special Education program and 39 students…

Undergraduate students who are enrolled in research methods courses tend to believe that such courses are overwhelming and that it is almost impossible to get through them. It has been reported that education students, in particular, enter research methods courses with feelings of stress and anxiety, although in most cases, they are not really…

This paper reports a subset of findings from an extensive investigation of preservice elementary teachers' (n=61) beliefs about and knowledge of alternative mathematics assessment. These preservice teachers, who enrolled in a mathemnatics methods course, responded individually to four mathematics assessment surveys, participated in three paired…

This study examined the perception that individuals who enter the teaching profession are less academically competent than are those who enter other fields of study. The study investigated differences in students' grade point averages (GPAs) and differences between GPAs earned in English, mathematics, social studies, and science by teacher…

Six studies concerning the attitudes of preparing teachers toward tests, evaluation, and mathematics are reported. These studies report scale development, validations, cross-validations, and observed results. Three instructors participated in the development of an attitude survey in the first study; a total of 923 undergraduate preparing teachers…

Emporia State University's (Kansas) teacher education program conducted research to determine how it could help interested students meet new admission standards and enter the teacher education program. Analysis of records of students who had not met the program's new standards indicated that some students were not aware of the new standards and…

A follow-up study of recent graduates of the College of Education at the University of New Orleans was developed to continue the organized assessment program of the College. Information gathered by the investigation is intended to provide the basis for revision of the undergraduate teacher education program and the development of effective…

This study evaluated the relative merits of the more rigid Basic Studies Program and the more flexible General Education Program in the College of Education at Temple University in terms of the academic achievement of students and scores on the National Teacher Examinations (NTE). The sample consisted of 503 students in the Basic Studies Program…

If healthy mathematical beliefs are to be fostered in students, the teachers' beliefs must also be considered. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) the impact on interns' (n=137) mathematical beliefs of an exploratory, student-centered mathematics course, "Mathematics for Elementary Teachers Via Problem Solving," (T104) for preservice…

The research in this paper explores the possibilities of challenging preservice teachers' mathematical beliefs through a specifically designed early field experience intended to encourage both reflective analysis and instructional skill acquisition. The subjects in this one-semester study were 25 preservice elementary teachers at a small, private,…