Novice Science Teachers: Expectations and Experiences

This project grew out of concerns expressed by several novice teachers about their lack of preparation to deal with common problems in the classroom. Several trends were evident with the teachers involved in this study. They all came to recognize the importance of effective, organized instruction during the term of the study, along with the importance of effective classroom management and discipline skills. This included an emphasis on planning, preparation, and adequate knowledge of subject matter. They all felt that they were well prepared by their college classes in their primary content area, but less prepared in supporting areas of science. It is hoped that this information will be used to further refine teacher education programs at the university level.