Preparing Special Education Teachers to Work in Urban Settings

• In Event: Preparing Teachers to Work in Urban Settings

Abstract

The inclusion of urban focused courses is a means to provide teacher candidates with immersion experiences related to culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) received during time spent in the classroom. The overall course objective for urban focused coursework is to produce teacher candidates with high self-efficacy about implementing CRP in urban settings. This research explores the impact urban focused coursework has on the efficacy of teacher candidates about teaching in an urban setting to potentially increase the number of teachers willing to teach and remain in classrooms with diverse student populations. Specifically, preservice special education teachers’ intentions, efficacy, and attitudes of teaching in an urban setting are examined. Results, implications for practice, and suggestions for future research are presented.

Authors

• Shaqwana Freeman-Green, University of North Florida

• Sara L. Jozwik, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee