Graduation Term
2020
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Department of Special Education
Committee Chair
Debra Shelden
Committee Member
Tara Kaczorowski
Abstract
During clinical experiences, in-service teachers provide models of instruction for pre-service teachers to learn. With the inclusion of students with special needs in general education settings, these models of instruction often include co-teaching. It is vital for pre-service teachers to see productive co-teaching models since co-teaching is a complex form of instruction differing greatly from traditional solo instruction. Currently there is a dearth of research in the fields of co-teaching and special education regarding the influence of perceived quality of co-teaching modeled in clinical experiences and the development of pre-service teacher attitudes and confidence toward co-teaching. This study sought to describe the co-teaching experiences special education pre-service teachers perceived as significant in developing their own co-teaching confidence and perceptions based on the perceived quality of co-teaching modeled by their cooperating teacher. In this multiple case study, I collected data from special education pre-service teachers regarding their experiences observing co-teaching in clinical placements using virtual interviews and online journals. I performed a thematic analysis of the data using deductive coding. I found participants’ perceptions of quality co-teaching were similar to those in the literature, indicating the pre-service teachers in this study adequately evaluated the co-teaching relationships they observed. Furthermore, participant responses indicated that their perception of co-teaching relationship quality appeared to influence their interest and confidence in future co-teaching as in-service teachers. These findings should be considered in the creation of systematic co-teaching preparation in teacher education programs, specifically in the placement and support of pre-service teachers in co-taught classrooms during clinical experiences.
Access Type
Dissertation-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Vehlow, Christianna N., "Special Education Pre-service Teachers’ Perceptions of Cooperating Teachers’ Co-teaching Relationships: a Qualitative Study" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 1325.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/1325
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2020.20210208070731124940.89
Included in
Special Education Administration Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons
