Is Placement Diversity Really Important? Investigating the Relationship Between Placement Diversity, Internship Performance, and Employer Satisfaction

• In Event: Field Experiences and Community Engagement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe (1) how a teacher education institution developed a web application to record and calculate the diversity of the field practicum placements; and (2) how the institution used the placement diversity data to conduct research for program improvement and decision making. Adopting Sampson’s Diversity index formula, we were able to calculate the diversity scores for each school/placement and investigated the relationship between placement diversity, internship performance, and employer satisfaction. Our results indicated diversity level of the practicum placement showed significant positive or negative correlations with some of the outcomes like internship evaluations and graduate and employer satisfaction. Such data led to program improvement decisions.

Authors

• Zafer Unal, University of South Florida
  Presenting Author

• Aslihan Unal, Georgia Southern University
  Presenting Author

• Yasar Bodur, Georgia Southern University
  Presenting Author

• Michael R. Sampson, St. John's University
  Presenting Author