Abstract
The major research questions of the study addressed two specific purposes: (1) to provide descriptive data pertaining to perceptions of actual and ideal role functions of elementary cooperating teachers for four groups: cooperating teachers, principals, student teachers, and university supervisors, and for two professional environments surveyed: the public school setting and the university setting; and (2) to compare actual and ideal perceptions of elementary cooperating teacher role functions within each of the four groups, between groups in each of the two settings, and between the setting. To accomplish these purposes, a questionnaire was developed, pilot tested, refined, and administered during the Spring semester of 1983-84. The total population which responded to the instrument included 56 cooperating elementary teachers, 28 principals, 51 student teachers, and seven university supervisors. The questionnaire solicited demographic information and ratings of actual and ideal perceptions of 30 professional functions of cooperating elementary teachers employed by public schools. Descriptive statistics for demographic information and ratings of the 30 dependent variables on both actual and ideal dimensions were computed. Mean ratings for actual and ideal dimensions were rank ordered, and differences between means were calculated. Significance of difference was determined utilizing subjects-by-trials and single classification analyses of variance. Results from the study indicated significant differences between perceptions of actual and ideal role functions within each of the four groups surveyed. Significantly different perceptions were held by cooperating teachers and principals, and by cooperating teachers and university supervisors. Greater disparities were evident for views of reality. The principals and university supervisors held relatively congruent perceptions of role functions. Implications of these findings are discussed as are potential directions for future research.
Hamilton, Glenna Ja (1984). Actual and ideal role functions of elementary cooperating teachers as perceived by cooperating teachers, principals, student teachers, and university supervisors. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -574974.