Teacher education and its association with decision-making: An investigation of the classroom management decisions of incoming education majors, graduating education majors, and expert teachers

Abstract

This study investigates the value of a teacher education program by comparing freshman education majors and senior education majors in their ability to make decisions about classroom management issues. Participants (N = 137) responded to a vignette style interview schedule and responses were coded and analyzed. Senior education majors were found to make significantly better decisions than freshman education majors and two groups of non-education students. Implications for improving and evaluating teacher education are discussed.