The Effects of Comprehensive Middle Level Teacher Preparation Programs

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Abstract This study examined the impact of high quality middle level teacher preparation programs as determined by 2,139 middle school teachers teaching in 525 middle schools (grade 6-8). These schools were located in six states that have separate middle level teaching licensure. Approximately 55% of all respondents had received some kind of specialized middle level preparation, 22% at the initial and 33% at the graduate level. Teachers prepared in special middle grades programs were more likely to have had each of seven program components considered essential for successful middle level teaching. Respondents prepared in comprehensive middle level teacher preparation programs gave more favorable ratings to their preparation programs than teachers from programs with medium or low comprehensiveness. The more middle level courses preservice teachers had taken, the more likely they were to report their programs were highly comprehensive. Those who had separate middle grades certification/licensure were more li...