A survey sought to discover whether the beliefs about education held by teacher education candidates differed from those of their non-teaching counterparts. Responses to the "MSU Educational Beliefs Inventory" were obtained from 391 teacher candidates and 232 students enrolled in an introductory communications class at Michigan State University.…

A study of education students' perceptions of actual and ideal educational environment showed similarity between student and faculty perceptions of ideal environment, dissimilarity between student actual and ideal perceptions, but little relationship between student perceptions and achievement, sex, educational background, or personality needs.…

Compared special education and regular education college students to identify teacher traits needed to deal with special needs students in the regular classroom. Results showed special education majors have stronger affiliation needs and regular education majors have higher achievement needs. Suggests characteristics needed by teachers dealing…

A comparative analysis of some science concepts held by preservice primary teachers in Britain and Spain indicates that many students lack understanding of and ability to apply these concepts. Results are analyzed in terms of national curricula and previous science background. Implications for teacher education are discussed. (IAH)

Questioned 91 graduate students in education to see whether teachers considered salient characteristics such as student age and problem behavior when selecting interventions for managing students' behavior. Results suggest that both regular and special education teachers take student characteristics into consideration when making such intervention…

A 2-phase study (n=330 students, n=90 students) in 3 colleges developed a self-report survey to measure characteristics of students involved in academic misconduct. Five misconduct constructs were identified: cheating on tests and assignments; inappropriate use of resources; quasi-misconduct; subtle manipulation of faculty; and bold manipulation…

This study compared the characteristics of freshman teacher aspirants choosing to continue in or leave a teacher education program at the end of their first year. Personality characteristics of the freshmen (n=102) were assessed with the Personal Orientation Inventory which consists of 150 two-choice comparative value-judgment items reflecting the…

A comparative study was made of ways in which teacher candidates and their non-teaching counterparts in college differ in their academic and social backgrounds and in their bases for career decisions. Questionnaires were submitted to 146 non-teaching students and 258 teacher candidates. Analysis of survey findings indicated that: (1) the high…

Twelve learner characteristics and 26 demographic characteristics of entering preservice teachers were investigated to determine if the presumption of homogeneity was valid in relation to selected learner characteristics and to discover which, if any, demographic characteristics could serve as predictors of learner characteristics. The study also…

Study compared the learning styles of education majors to those of other majors. Students from six majors completed the Learning Styles Inventory and Student Demographic Questionnaire. Results indicated education majors had different learning styles from mathematics and humanities majors but similar styles to business, science, and social science…

Focusing on the pedagogy curriculum of teacher education colleges in Israel, this study examines the influences of various curriculum factors actually implemented in the classroom as compared with noncurriculum factors. Data from 269 education students affirms the positive contribution of curriculum factors. (SLD)

In a study of the personalities of preservice teachers, Cattell's 16 Personality Factor (PF) Questionnaire was administered to 2,225 applicants to the College of Education of the University of Akron (Ohio). Data were analyzed by gender and by year of application (Year 1, 2, or 3). Results indicated that at the primary factor level, personality…

Research conducted under contract with USOE, CRP No. 2518. Details of methodology available in the USOE report.

This report updates the study "The Doctorate in Education" published by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in 1960 (ED 046 872 through ED 046 875). A questionnaire set up to examine the same areas of inquiry as the AACTE study was mailed to 145 institutions which had been identified as offering doctoral programs in…

Comparisons of entry-level elementary and secondary education majors at Michican State University revealed differences in academic background, prior teaching experience, career plans, and professional expectations. Implications for teacher education are discussed. (MT)