Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

5-2002

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Louise L. MacKay

Committee Members

Rebecca Isbell, Russell F. West, Russell O. Mays

Abstract

This study examined two types of teacher certification. The certifications of elementary teachers and early childhood teachers were the focus of the study. The purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between teacher certification (early childhood grades pre-kindergarten through fourth and elementary education grades one through eight) and the use of developmentally appropriate practices in kindergarten classrooms in northeast Tennessee.

The approach to the study was quantitative. Data were collected from teacher and classroom observations using the Early Childhood Rating Scale-Revised. Participants included kindergarten teachers in northeast Tennessee.

The researcher investigated the extent to which kindergarten teachers were implementing developmentally appropriate practices in kindergarten classrooms in northeast Tennessee. There were no statistically significant differences between the extent to which kindergarten teachers with early childhood certification and kindergarten teachers with elementary education certification were implementing developmentally appropriate practices as determined by the Early Childhood Rating Scale-Revised. There were statistically significant differences in the extent to which kindergarten teachers with early childhood certification and kindergarten teachers with elementary education certification working in the city and county were implementing personal care routines. Differences were also noted between groups in parent and staff variables.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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