Teacher Education for Teachers Who Work With Low-Income Students: A Literature Review

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Sociopolitical Contexts of Teacher Education and Educational Reform

Abstract

Despite concern about improving education for low-income students, there is scant research about preparing teachers to work in this context. This literature review examines 28 peer-reviewed studies to answer how the literature frames the problem of teaching low-income students, and what teacher education strategies are implemented to address these issues. I identified five categories based on how researchers defined the problem: negative teachers’ beliefs, lack of teachers’ knowledge base, failure of school practices, lack of evidence about program’ effects, and lack of support given to beginner teachers. These studies defined problems regarding teachers, schools, or programs, designing teacher education strategies aligned with them. Cultural aspects of teaching low-income students and macro-systemic factors that contribute to educational inequity were, however, omitted.

Author

• Maria Beatriz Fernandez Cofre, Boston College