Diagnosing Selected Behavior Characteristics of Teachers of Secondary School Mathematics

Abstract

This paper reports on the development and initial exploratory research with an instrument designed for diagnostic use with preservice teachers of secondary school mathematics. The structure of the “Teaching Situation Reaction Test for Teachers of Secondary School Mathematics” (TSRT-TSSM), the criteria purported to be measured by the TSRT-TSSM, and the nature of the samples involved in the exploratory studies involving the TSRT-TSSM are presented. The exploratory studies indicated that total test scores for teachers predicted to be highly effective were significantly higher than those for teachers predicted to minimally effective and for a number of the teacher behavior characteristics being measured the profiles of the 2 groups were significantly different. Use of the instrument in a diagnostic setting suggests potential for communication of useful information to a preservice teacher of his behavior characteristics. Further revision of the instrument is suggested.