Attitudes and Beliefs Held by Teachers on Interdisciplinary Teams With Common Planning Time at a Highly Effective Middle School

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Current Issues in Middle-Level Education

Abstract

This study qualitatively explored the beliefs and attitudes held by teachers on middle school interdisciplinary teams that shared common planning time (CPT) at a highly effective middle school. Using a multiple case study design, methods of data collection included the open-ended surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Artifacts and documents were also examined.

Three main themes emerged denoting shared attitudes and beliefs held by participants: empathetic attitudes, team attitudes (flexibility, support, risk-taking), and a profound awareness of adolescence. These attitudes and beliefs influenced one another and overlapped in the teachers’ daily work, reinforcing each other. This study adds researched support for schools contemplating a move towards, or maintenance of, middle school interdisciplinary teacher teams with CPT.

Author

• Amy E Reynolds, Western Connecticut State University