| Degrees & Programs
Degrees & Programs
Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.
Master of Arts, M.A.
Physical Education Program
Teach Arizona Master's Program |
Bruce Johnson, Ph.D
Teaching & Teacher Education
The University of Arizona
College of Education
P.O. Box 210069
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0069
Graduate Office Phone: 520-621-6993 Dept Phone 520-621-7820
E-mail us: ttegrad@email.arizona.edu
Teaching & Teacher Education
Research Initiative on Preparing Teachers for Mexican American Students
Faculty in the Departments of Teaching & Teacher Education, Mexican American Studies & Research Center, and local school districts are collaborating to research and disseminate best practice for preparing teachers for the burgeoning Mexican origin student population in Arizona. The Initiative links faculty and students across departments who are conducting research on various aspects of teacher preparation to work in schools with significant Mexican origin students.
Faculty are collaborating on 1) collecting and disseminating research on preparing teachers for Mexican American students, 2) identifying the most promising and salient areas for further research, 3) planning a coordinated research agenda that will address identified areas in a comprehensive manner, and 4) designing and conducting research on what teachers need to know in order to be more effective with Mexican American students and 5) disseminating information.
Why is such an Initiative Needed?
Historically, Mexican American students have not fared well in American schools and, although there may be varied reasons for this, teachers and their preparation for teaching are key to academic success of all students, including Mexican American students. Recent research shows that only 32% of the nation's teachers feel well prepared to teach students from diverse cultural backgrounds (National Council of Education Statistics, 2001). In this same survey, 72% of teachers said they did not feel well prepared to address the needs of students learning English as a Second Language. This lack of preparedness on the part of teachers is beginning to be recognized as a major issue in teacher education. There is an urgent need to understand more about preparing teachers for the diversity of student populations in American schools. Since Mexican American students make up a significant percentage of Arizona schools, the Initiative proposes to focus on this student population and what it takes to teach successfully in Arizona schools.
Initiative Goals
* Critically examine what is currently known about effective teacher preparation for Mexican American students
* Compile and organize what is known in research and practice
* Design and conduct applied research in collaboration with Arizona schools
* Disseminate research findings to the profession (teacher education), to educators and policy makers statewide
* Inform and influence teacher education programs at the University of Arizona and across the state
Click here for a report on the Initiative at the University of Arizona.
Contact Information:
Toni Griego Jones, PhD.
Department of Teaching & Teacher Education
College of Education The University of Arizona
PO Box 210069
Tucson, AZ 85721
520-626-8062 (Fax) 520-621-7877
Email at: mariej@u.arizona.edu
