This mixed methods study investigated the extent to which preservice teachers' discipline orientations are consistent with their perceptions of what makes an effective teacher. The study's first purpose was to determine whether preservice teachers tend to possess a predominant discipline style. The second purpose was to ascertain the degree to…

Surveyed preservice teachers regarding their perceptions of effective teachers' characteristics and whether those perceptions were related to educational beliefs. Respondents believed that many characteristics reflected effective teaching (student centered, effective classroom and behavior manager, competent instructor, ethical, enthusiastic about…

In this study, a multi-stage mixed analysis was used to examine stories from 72 undergraduate teacher education students regarding their best and poorest K-5 teachers, alongside responses to Likert-format survey items. Participants expressed strong agreement with items derived from the literature concerning characteristics of effective teachers…

Evidence suggests that teacher beliefs drive instructional pedagogy. Yet, although antecedents of educational beliefs have been identified (e.g., family influences), these factors tend to be immutable, thereby having only minimal implications for intervention. Teacher efficacy appears to offer a viable avenue for research on the antecedents of…

This study examined trends in teacher candidates' educational beliefs over time. Participants were 84 teacher education candidates enrolled in several sections of an introductory-level education class for education majors at a southeastern university. They were administered the Witcher-Travers Survey of Educational Beliefs (WTSEB) both on the…

The purpose of this study was to examine the link between preservice teachers' educational beliefs and their discipline orientation. Participants were 134 preservice teachers enrolled at a large university in a southeastern state. A discriminant analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between discipline orientation and…

This study examined characteristics associated with teachers' views on discipline, comparing discipline styles based upon gender, ethnicity, age, years of experience, inservice versus preservice status, school level, and number of offspring. Participants were 201 predominantly white and predominantly female students at a large university who were…

Universities and colleges accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education are facing the prospects of measuring dispositions related to teaching. Dispositions selected for teacher candidates at the University of West Alabama are characteristics desirable in N-12 candidates. This pilot study was designed to assess…