Urban Metaphors: Do Prospective Teachers' Urban Perceptions Predict Confidence in Teaching Literacy to Urban Students?

• In Event: 72.048 - Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: 72.048-5 - Preservice Teachers' Perceptions of Literacy Instruction

Abstract

This study explored if prospective teachers’ perceptions of urban schools (analyzed through written metaphors), personal factors, and academic factors predicted their confidence working with urban students in literacy. Participants included 170 Elementary Education majors throughout an educational program. On surveys, participants rated their confidence working with three student types (Rural, Suburban, Urban) in literacy, and also created urban school metaphors, which were coded and grouped by their level of positivity. Results indicated participants were significantly less confident working with urban students than suburban or rural. A regression analysis suggested their metaphor group predicted urban literacy confidence, but demographic characteristics, literacy and urban education course-taking, or academic grade level had no significant effect. Implications for research and policy are discussed.

Author

• Vincent R. Genareo, Salisbury University