The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the participants' perceived effectiveness of their teacher preparation program and their experience of teaching students who are identified with a low-incidence disability. The theory guiding this study was the experiential learning theory. Kolb's experiential learning theory…

Individuals who desire to pursue the teaching profession have two primary paths for preparation: either completing a traditional college-based program or an alternative program. A generic qualitative inquiry methodology was used to explore the perspective of novice teacher participants on how prepared they felt based on the preparation program…

Using a quantitative approach that draws on qualitative methods, this study aimed to identify what, if any, elements within an elementary teacher preparation program have a relationship between elementary student achievement gains in reading and math as well as a teacher's attrition. This study identified elements of teacher training programs…

The purpose of this embedded, multiple-case study was to conduct an international exploration of two teacher preparation programs for preservice teachers seeking licensure and specialism to teach students with severe, profound, and multiple disabilities. The study sought to learn about special education teacher preparation practices and structures…

The purpose of this descriptive multiple case study was to examine the elementary education preparation programs of three universities, identifying essential components and features of each program, as well as across programs. As accountability and standards call for teacher preparation to take action and develop stronger programs, this study…

The demographics of school-aged students in the U.S continue to shift, with increasing numbers of students coming from historically underrepresented minority populations. Yet the percentage of white, female teachers remains disproportionately high. Using a framework revised from Garmon's (2004) study in which he found experiential factors;…

With the intent of helping to reconceptualize music teacher education programs and improve the quality of music education for all students, the purpose of this study was to examine the interactions within the cultural cohort communities of a music teacher education program embedded within the culture of a school of music and the role that these…

The professional preparation of teachers is essential because of their critical role in developing students' learning. Preparing quality teachers is a complex process, as they matriculate through the programs that prepare them for the classroom. The problem addressed by this study is teachers' lack of effective strategies and skills in…

The quality of teacher education allows first-year teachers to meet mandates at federal and state levels (Darling-Hammond, 2010a). The teaching profession is complex and requires new and innovative quality preparation programs (Wei, Andree, & Darling-Hammond, 2009). This study involved examination of the perceptions of 17 building principals…