PROFESSIONAL DISPOSITIONS: WHAT ARE WE TEACHING PROSPECTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS?

Authors

  • Jacalyn Lund
  • Valerie Wayda
  • Rebecca Woodard
  • Marilyn Buck

Abstract

As part of the current educational reform movement, faculties in higher education are reviewing their curriculums. Professional dispositions are of particular interest since the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has begun to address dispositions within its accreditation process. If NCATE believes dispositions are an issue that teacher preparation programs need to address, then information is warranted on what PETE programs are currently doing regarding dispositions. The purpose of this study was for Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) faculty (N=47) to identify dispositions which were important for success in the teaching profession, and then indicate which of these dispositions were being taught and assessed within their programs. Ten dispositions were unanimously identified as essential for success in the work place with another 11 dispositions identified as essential by at least 90% of the participants. While faculty identified most dispositions as essential, many dispositions were not directly taught nor were students held accountable for demonstrating them. The findings suggest that PETE faculties need to review their program goals to both teach and assess for dispositions. If NCATE is expecting PETE programs to address the issue of dispositions, then faculty members need to re-evaluate the importance attached to dispositions and hold students accountable for demonstrating them.?

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Published

2007-01-26

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Section

Articles