Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2002

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies

Committee Chair

Ardeth Deay.

Abstract

In recent years, there are more research studies in the field of teacher education. These research studies examine the effects of multicultural education initiatives on the change of students' attitudes and perspectives on multicultural education in teacher education programs. The results of there research studies have revealed that further studies are called for in this area of study, because the results of the previous studies are not always positive and clear. The purpose of this study is to see if there is any attitude change during the program, how the five-year teacher education program enhances the pre-service teacher education experience by examining diversity issues from various perspectives and how the program helps pre-service teachers to apply what they have learned from the courses to modify instruction appropriately.;This study uses a mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to examine the there research questions. The quantitative data was collected by using the "Diversity Questionnaire". The qualitative data was obtained through the analysis of the responses from a set of "Cultural Diversity Essay Questions" and questions of there "Case Studies".;The results of T-Test for Diversity Questionnaire indicate that there is no much evidence showing the students' attitude change between Year 3 and Year 4 groups. The reason for this result might be that the one-year difference between the two groups is not sufficient or long enough to see the differences of attitude change. Two instruments---the "Essay Questions" and "Case Studies" were used for measurement qualitatively to access what the students have learned from the diversity strand in the teacher education program and to answer the second and the third research questions. The data reveals that the multicultural/diversity perspectives the participants have learned from the courses really help them to understand their students' situations better. This study also suggests that the students have developed and formed their positive attitudes toward diversity with the progress of their teacher education program and their field experiences. The effectiveness of the "Teacher Education Diversity Strand", the implications for teacher education curriculum and teaching, and the implications for further study are discussed.

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