A Q Factor Analysis of Preservice Teachers' Attitudes Toward LGBTQ-Themed Literature

• In Event: 65.079 - Roundtable Session 23
  In Roundtable Session: 65.079-9 - Teacher Candidate Preparation in Teaching Diverse Literature

Abstract

This study used a 12 item researcher created Likert style survey (α = .94) to measure preservice English/language arts teachers’ attitudes toward LGBTQ themed literature. Participants (n = 76) were enrolled in courses required for licensure in secondary English certification at a medium sized Southeastern University. Q factor analysis revealed a three factor (typology) solution that accounted for 62% of variance with 47 defining participants. Types were categorized as unwilling to include, willing to include, and willing to discuss. Further analyses revealed reluctance to require students to purchase LGBTQ texts and reticence to use texts with transgender characters. Implications for future research and for English teacher education programs are discussed.

Author

• Victor Malo-Juvera, University of North Carolina - Wilmington