Are Teacher Education Programs Adequately Preparing Student Teachers for Diversity? A Cross-Cultural Study

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: International Teachers

Abstract

Preparing teachers for diversity is currently a global concern as elementary/secondary classrooms around the world are becoming more diverse. However, in practice, little is known about the connectedness/articulation of teacher education programs (TEP) with diversity issues. In this context, a sample of student teachers representing the cohorts of two programs (N = 250) was selected to give their opinion on to what extent their respective TEP were coherent with the valued of diversity. The results support the students’ view that institutions value diversity but lack congruency and consistency among elements with its appreciation. This perception was significantly stronger in respondents from Institution I than from Institution II. The findings will be explained by contextual and socio-cultural factors related to diversity.

Authors

• Cristina M. Cardona, University of Alicante

• Cristina Miralles, University of Alicante

• Esther Chiner-Sanz, University of Alicante

• Renáta Tichá, University of Minnesota

• Brian Abery, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities