What are teacher dispositions?
Professional dispositions are the values, commitments and professional ethics that influence behaviors towards students, families, colleagues, and communities that affect student learning, motivation, and development as well as the educator’s own professional growth. [InTASC 2011: Model Core Teaching Standards] [TSPC: The Professional & Ethical Educator] The development of these dispositions is considered part of a teacher education program and is reflected in our Conceptual Framework’s Core Values: Ethics and Professionalism, Reflective Practitioner, and Diversity and Equity.
Who does the assessment of a teacher candidate’s dispositions?
Students must demonstrate professional behavior in order to be accepted into the program and these dispositions will be reviewed at time of application. The Disposition Assessment form will be introduced and discussed in April prior to the cohort year. These dispositions will be part of the ongoing assessment during program coursework and student teaching. Ratings will be done throughout the Program by the Cooperating Teachers and Double Degree faculty. The positive development of these dispositions will reflect directly on a teacher candidate’s success in the program.
What should each teacher candidate know?
It is the student’s responsibility to ask clarifying questions as well as demonstrate the expected dispositional behaviors. It is important for teacher candidates to demonstrate the dispositions both in their college coursework and in their field placements.
ASSESSMENT PLAN:
Prior to cohort year: Student will learn about professional expectations during their advising appointments and presentations.
APRIL: Students will review professional expectations as they move into their placements.
SEPTEMBER: Double Degree teacher candidates will be introduced to the Professional Dispositions form and will review them with their Cooperating Teachers.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER [End of Fall Term]: Cooperating Teachers and program faculty will fill out a Dispositions Assessment for teacher candidates with whom they have worked fall term. Any concerns will be discussed with the teacher candidate and the candidates’ university supervisor. The Assessments by the Cooperating Teacher will be entered on Taskstream as the Fall Disposition Assessment.
Double Degree faculty will review the ratings for all candidates and consider a course of action for any stated concerns. This assessment will be part of a consideration of the candidate’s readiness to move into part-time student teaching. If a Remediation Plan is deemed necessary, it will be written by the Program Lead, in collaboration with others who work with the candidate and saved in the candidate’s file. The Plan will list specific measures to allay concerns. This Plan will be monitored winter term to confirm positive progress. Serious dispositional concerns may result in a delay in part-time student teaching or removal from the Double Degree Program. Any decision on delaying student teaching or removal from the Double Degree Program can be appealed to the Director of Licensure.
MARCH: At the end of part-time student teaching, Cooperating Teachers will again fill out a Dispositions Assessment for the teacher candidates with whom they work. Any concerns will be shared with the University Supervisor and program coordinator.
Double Degree faculty will review the ratings for all candidates and consider a course of action for any concerns. If a Remediation Plan is necessary, it will be written by the Program Lead, in collaboration with others who work with the candidate and saved in the candidate’s file. The Plan will list specific measures to determine progress toward eliminating concerns. The Plan will be monitored to make sure the candidate is progressing and able to complete the Program. The degree of concern will be reviewed by a Retention Committee to determine if the candidate is ready to proceed to full-time student teaching. If not, a course of action, including the possibility of being dropped from the Program, will be considered. Any decision on delaying full-time student teaching or removal from the Double Degree Program can be appealed to the Director of Licensure.
