Can Professional Identity Incline New Special-Education Candidates Toward Attrition?

• In Event: Achieving Professional Identity: Beyond Knowledge and Skill

Abstract

This study uses the theoretical construct of professional identity to describe the identity of candidates and to examine the extent to which professional identity construction might serve as a bellwether for predicting attrition decisions. Literature on causes of attrition and formation of professional identity was examined to guide analysis of interviews with teacher candidates that took place during their student-teaching semester. Based on the results of our analyses, we constructed an attrition-retention continuum upon which four different identities were arranged, each reflecting inclination toward either retention or attrition. Most surprising of all was that teacher candidates seemed to have a mix of all identity types. Discussion focuses on the link between identity and attrition, and implications for teacher preparation programs.

Authors

• Fanni Liu Coward, Texas Tech University

• Doug D. Hamman, Texas Tech University

• Deborah S. Brown, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

• Deann Lechtenberger, Texas Tech University