Chapter 2: Preparing Middle Level Teachers for The Classroom: Assessing Efficacy and Confidence in Preservice Teacher Candidates

This chapter describes and discusses a pilot research study focusing on middle level teacher preparation at Illinois State University. Utilizing a pre/post survey design, the study examines and compares teacher candidate’s levels of self-reported efficacy and confidence before and after their 16-week student teaching semester. The study sample is comprised of both students who completed the traditional, on-campus program and students who participated in the yearlong professional development school (PDS) program. The post student teaching survey asks teacher candidates to evaluate their middle level teacher preparation program and experiences. While acknowledging the limitations of this pilot study, teacher candidates reported higher levels of efficacy and confidence after the student teaching experience. Compared to traditional program candidates, PDS candidates reported statistically higher mean scores on some of the efficacy and confidence items.