A Follow-up Study of the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program at Drake University, 1980-1983

Abstract

The problem: The purpose of this study was to collect and analyze data received from recent graduates of the teacher education program at Drake University and to determine their perceptions of the preparation based upon program objectives. A secondary purpose was to provide information to the College of Education at Drake University. Procedure. University records were used to locate the names and addresses of the 1980 through August 1983 graduates of Drake University's Teacher Education Program. The survey was designed to obtain demographic, educational, employment data and the perceptions to the instructional objective statements. Two mailings produced a return of 64 percent of the surveys. The data presented the percentage of positive responses and mean values of the program objectives. The data was divided into subgroups based upon program major and graduation years. Descriptive statistics, a t-test and a oneway analysis of variance procedures were used to test the hypotheses. Findings. The graduates' perceptions of their program objectives paralleled the findings of previous studies. Significant differences were found in four objective items between mean values by major groups and in one objective mean value for the graduation year groups. Graduates were very or somewhat satisfied about teaching. The majority of graduates were elementary majors and female with one year of teaching experience. Conclusion. Positive feedback and program improvements were indicated by the 1983 graduation year group. The student teaching experience was a major strength to the program, while the lack of supervision and advisement needed improvement. Overall, the graduates indicated that Drake's teacher education program was very relevant and prepared them for the teaching profession. Recommendations: Further research is recommended to continue follow-up studies of the teacher education program based upon curriculum, methods of instruction and faculty. These studies may need to examine the admission requirements for the education degree as well as the teaching profession "job market".