A longitudinal study of the professional dispositions of teacher candidates

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the professional disposition scores of Physical Education teacher candidates over time. In ad-dition, differences between teacher and student ratings were investigated. Participants were 65 students who completed three methods courses (A, B, and C) across a two-year period. Both the teacher and the students completed a profes-sional dispositions instrument in each of the three classes. Results indicated a decrease in disposition self ratings and teacher ratings over time. A 2 (Rater) x 3 (Time) ANOVA revealed that the student and teacher ratings were different for classes A and B but not for class C. The findings are encouraging in light of the strong alignment between teacher and student ratings in the upper-level class. The dispositions in-strument appears to be a valid and reliable method to assess the professional behaviors of teacher candidates.