Landscape of the Students Attending Teacher Education Programs

• In Event: Evaluating and Improving Teacher Preparation Programs

Abstract

This presentation will explore who is enrolling in teacher education programs broadly, as well as by type of teacher education program. It will examine factors that attract applicants to particular programs (e.g. personal motivation, program reputation, program offerings, availability, affordability, and likely job prospect) as well as potential differences in applicant backgrounds and goals by program type. Additionally, this paper will outline the existing teacher education programs, ranging from traditional university-based programs to alternative pathways to online programs to specialized programs (e.g. teacher residencies and Grow Your Own programs). The paper will also examine the extent to which recruitment, admissions, and selection processes impact the teacher applicants and enrollees. Understanding the characteristics of individuals enrolled in particular kinds of teacher preparation programs and the implications of these enrollment patterns is essential to program evaluation and improvement. Program quality – including instructional quality, course offerings, job placement, etc. – is determined in part by the interests and backgrounds of program candidates.

Authors

• Suzanne M. Wilson, University of Connecticut

• Shannon Kelley, University of Connecticut - Storrs