Date of Award
Spring 4-19-2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Department
Education
First Advisor/Committee Member
Dr. Arthur Ellis
Second Advisor/Committee Member
Dr. Nyaradzo Mvududu
Third Advisor/Committee Member
Dr. William Prenevost
Keywords
edTPA, Alternative Route Teacher Certification Programs, Traditional Teacher Preparation Programs, Teacher Certification
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Alternative route teacher education programs have increased to address personnel shortages in key areas such as special education, mathematics, and science. Alternative route programs may serve as a means to address such shortages, but require evaluation to ensure that candidates emerging from these programs demonstrate skills commensurate with those that complete traditional teacher education programs. Although studies examining aspects of alternative route programs exist, few studies comparing alternative route programs with traditional programs have been conducted. Differences in definitions used to describe alternative routes programs compound efforts to compare programs. Nevertheless, research reviewed compared outcomes for alternative and traditional programs on candidate satisfaction, academic achievement, multicultural awareness, retention, and performance on competency-based assessments. Results on these measures were mixed.
The purpose of this causal comparative study was to compare performance on the edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment) using longitudinal data (2013-2017) from candidates (N = 565) that attended a mid-sized urban university that offers both traditional and alternative route programs. The non-parametric analysis revealed no differences in expected and actual edTPA performance between groups. The parametric analysis revealed a statistically significant omnibus effect based on program type. Post hoc testing reveals differences in Instructional Average (IA) and Assessment Average (AA) although variance accounted for was small. Recommendations for practitioners are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Cole, Lara Denise, "Differences in Performance on a Commercially Available Competency-Based Exam between Traditionally and Alternatively Prepared Teacher Candidates: A Causal Comparative Study" (2018). Education Dissertations. 36.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/soe_etd/36