Elementary Social Studies Teacher Education in the Context of edTPA

• In Event: Roundtable Session 26
  In Roundtable Session: Preparation of Preservice Teachers in Social Studies

Abstract

In a context of high-stakes accountability in teacher education, concerns are emerging about challenges to the already tenuous position of elementary social studies teacher education. In this case study, the author administered a survey to elementary social studies teacher educators and conducted follow-up interviews focusing on the impact of edTPA on elementary social studies teacher education and the ways in which they are navigating the new context of teaching elementary social studies methods. The findings reveal the possibility of further decline of social studies in elementary teacher education program due to elementary edTPA’s singular focus on literacy and math content pedagogy along with the high-stakes and outsourced nature of edTPA process.

Author

• Sohyun An, Kennesaw State University