Teacher Education Follow-up Study, 1994.

Overview & Synopsis

This sixth follow-up study assesses Central Missouri State University's (CMSU) teacher education programs, involving input from professional education faculty, preservice teacher education candidates, teacher education graduates, and employers. The 1994 data revealed that 33 percent of the students in the 1993-94 Foundations of Education courses were male and 11 percent were nonwhite. Students rated their weakest academic areas as non-western philosophies and cultures, followed by legal and ethical responsibilities and mathematics. Data relating to student teachers indicated that 78 percent were females, 92 percent were white, and 45 percent were placed in elementary classrooms. A survey of graduates found that 82 percent were full-time classroom teachers, 43 percent within Missouri, with average salaries of $18,849. Seventy-nine percent of graduate respondents plan to work on graduate degrees in education, and 84 percent planned to be teaching 5 years later. Teachers were most dissatisfied with level of support from parents and community, salary/fringe benefits of teaching, and opportunities for professional advancement. Seventy-three percent of the principals hiring CMSU graduates felt that the teachers were strongly prepared for their positions. Principals felt that salary/fringe benefits was the top area of dissatisfaction for teachers. Copies of the survey instruments and data are appended. (JDD)