A study of the relationship between primary children's perception of classroom teachers and student teachers

The present study investigated a series of interrelated questions concerning first through third grade children's perceptions of classroom teachers and student teachers. Past studies of pupils' perceptions of teachers have primarily been conducted at the upper elementary and secondary levels to examine pupils' ratings of classroom teachers. The present study differed from past research in its attempt to explore younger pupils' perceptions of both classroom teachers and student teachers. Five nondirectional research hypotheses were offered concerning the relationship between primary children's perceptions of both teacher groups as measured by the Student Evaluation of Teacher II Instrument (SET II). Three of the hypotheses stated that there are differences between the mean scores of pupils' perceptions of classroom teachers and student teachers on each of the three SET II scales, Stimulating, Interactive Style; Unreasonable Negativity; and Fosterance of Self-Esteem. The fourth hypothesis postulated that pupils' perceptions of the two teacher groups are moderated by certain pupil and teacher background variables. The pupil variables included sex, race, grade level, and ability. Age, teaching experience, and level of education were the selected teacher variables. Hypothesis five stated that there is a relationship between pupils' perceptions of classroom teachers and student teachers on each of the three SET II scales. [...]