| Summary |
The purposes of this study were to: (1) examine the historical development of teacher education programs for middle grades science; (2) record attitude levels of preservice teachers working toward certification in science as a primary area (27 or more semester hours of science) and those who have chosen science as an equal or secondary concentration (24 semester hours or less of science); (3) record anxiety levels of preservice teachers working toward certification in science as a primary area (27 or more semester hours of science) and those who have chosen science as an equal or secondary concentration (24 semester hours or less of science); (4) determine the effect of the amount of required science coursework on attitude and anxiety levels and the implications thereof. A causal-comparative research design was utilized for this study. The independent variable was the amount of science coursework required of students in middle grades teacher preparation programs. Depend variables were results from the Revised Science Attitude Scale (Thompson & Shrigley, 1986) and the State-Trait Anxiety Instrument - Form Y iSpielberuer. Gorsuch. & Lushene. 1970). Directional research hypotheses stated that preservice middle grades students in programs that require greater amounts of coursework in science content (27 or more semester horns versus 24 or fewer semester hours) will have both a more favorable attitude and lower anxiety level toward science. For data analysis, t-tests were utilized to compare the two major groups in terms of attitude and anxiety. Significant differences were found between the groups in their attitude and anxiety levels, and these differences were in the hypothesized direction. Qualitative information gathered at the time of the study further supported the quantitative results. |
| General note | Submitted to the faculty of the Departments of Elementary and Middle Grades and Science Education. |
| General note | Advisor: Scott B. Watson |
| General note | Advisor: Elizabeth S. Foster |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 1993 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-43). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
