Beginning Teachers' Perceptions of Preparedness

In October 2009, United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan declared in a speech to Columbia University's Teachers College that many university teacher preparation programs are outdated and must undergo major reform in order to produce high quality teachers needed to improve academic achievement for all students (U.S. Department of Education, 2009). To improve student success, policy makers must understand the key role well- trained teachers play in achieving this goal. This study examined the specific aspects of an English teacher preparation program that beginning teachers implement and rely on in their classrooms on a consistent basis. The research questions that guided this study are: (1) How do beginning teachers perceive their preparation for teaching in the urban English Language Arts classroom? (2) How do school administrators perceive the teaching ability of graduates? This study provides insight into how to better educate high quality teachers through the examination of an English teacher preparation program's daily effect and impact on their graduates.