Expectations of administrators concerning the characteristics and qualifications of community college teachers

Abstract

This study identified employing administrators' conceptions of the exemplary characteristics and professional qualifications which should be evident in prospective community college teachers. The objectives were achieved by having participants identify and rate essential qualities of the community college faculty by means of an intercommunication process--the Delphi Technique. Thirty-nine employing administrators of community colleges in Texas participated. They were requested to complete three rounds of instruments in an effort to arrive at a consensus concerning the desired qualities of teachers. The first round requested each participant to identify five to ten desired criteria. The second round consisted of 87 criteria compiled and edited from the first round responses. The participants were requested to rate each item on a zero to ten scale. The final round presented the same 87 criteria; however, the median score for each item was provided along with summaries of ration ale offered by fellow participants and each participant's original ratings. In light of the feedback provided, each employing administrator was asked to re-evaluate his original ratings. The median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile points were calculated for each of the criteria in order to determine the importance of each item and the tendency toward consensus of the administrators' opinions. Of the 87 criteria originally identified, 27 were rated as those characteristics and professional qualifications which were expectations of administrators concerning the qualities of teachers. Recommendations were made to use the identified criteria as a basis for the review of community college teacher training programs as well as the review of current teacher evaluation and in-service programs within the community college. A selection evaluation instrument was proposed which would enhance the objectivity of decision-making in the faculty selection process.