Why We Complete a Teacher Education Program: Credentialed Teachers, a Critical Incident Inquiry

Abstract

In order to become a teacher, all states require teachers to have a bachelor's degree, pass a certification test, and complete catalog specific courses in a subject matter and education. Currently in the state of Texas, many changes are taking place regarding teacher education programs. Teachers today are no longer considered certified for life. According to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) (State Board for Educator Certification Online, 2004), the current basic requirements for becoming a credentialed teacher in the state of Texas include the following three basic items: 1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. 2. Teacher training through an approved program. 3. Teacher certification examinations for the subject area and grade level for teaching. Since September 1, 1999, Texas teachers have been required to earn continuing education units to keep their certification renewed. In addition, many colleges and universities are challenged to offer premier education programs that are in compliance with the ever-changing State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) guidelines and standards. The No Child Left Behind Act requires that schools staff classrooms with highly qualified teachers. And according to Embry (2002), There are many qualities that contribute to being a good teacher: enthusiasm, love of children, knowledge of subject matter, verbal skills, intelligence, experience, and a strong work ethic. (Embry, 2002). According to Morales (1994), the following reasons are why education majors choose the field of education as their career field: working with people (i.e., service), power to influence others, desire to remain in a school like environment, financial rewards, and time compatibility reasons (i.e., same schedule as that of their own children). At the same time, many teachers are leaving the teaching profession and are not considering it as a full career (Hanushek, et al., 2004). According to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), Texas has shortages in all areas. However, the need for teachers is particularly great in math, science, special education, foreign languages, technology applications, and bilingual education. The types and number of positions available vary across the state. Texas will need over 82,000 new teachers by 2008. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects teaching as one of the fastest growing occupations over the next 5-10 years and beyond, with demand and growth continuing to increase (State Board for Educator Certification Online, 2004, What types of teaching positions are open, [paragraph] 1 and 3). This creates a major challenge for many schools, especially for schools in inner-city and in poor rural areas (Darling-Hammond, 2003). Even though record numbers of college students are completing teacher certification requirements, many of them are not entering the public classroom. Therefore, this study focused on the initial reasons individuals enter and complete the teacher education program, and pass the state test. These same individuals do not enter the public school classroom. This study identified meaningful categories for incidents reported as effective or helpful to successfully facilitating their decision to enter and complete the teacher education program. Method of Procedure A qualitative research design utilizing the critical incident technique was used to identify effective critical incidents of individuals' decision to enter the teacher education program. The specific procedures involved were as follows:(1). Critical Incident Technique, (2.) Formulation of Critical Incident Survey, (3.) Identification of Participants, (4.) Implementation of Data Collection, (5.) Selection and Training of the Expert Panel, (6.) Categorization and Recording of Data, and (7. …