Preparation Programs for Alternate-Route Teachers: Comparing Teacher Satisfaction With Instruction Aligned to Clinical Practice

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Alternate-Route Teacher Education: Perspectives and Considerations for Reform

Abstract

This study extends the literature on graduate-level education coursework preferences of alternative-certification teachers by comparing Teach for America (TFA) teachers’ preferences to those of other alternative-route teachers. We examined the views of students attending a clinical MAT program that provides students with the practical knowledge in which TFA teachers previously expressed interest (see Carter, Amrien-Beardsley, & Hansen, 2011). Notably, we discovered that all students are highly satisfied with this program. Although TFA and non-TFA teachers are equally pleased with their Content Area instruction, TFA teachers are more satisfied with their General Pedagogy instructors’ overall efficacy than non-TFA teachers. Our results suggest that MAT programs may consider differentiating coursework by the levels of support provided by the teachers’ alternative certification program.

Authors

• Chris Torres, Montclair State University

• Elizabeth Marie Chu, Teachers College, Columbia University