Stages of concern toward the career and technical education standards for national board certification

Abstract

In response to national reports calling for reform in education, the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has established standards for career and technical teachers to become National Board Certified in Career and Technical Education, which can be considered an innovation. Since individual teachers have a great deal of control over the implementation of educational innovations, their concerns toward these innovations are of significant importance. | The purpose of this study was to determine the stages of concern of secondary career and technical educators in the state of Georgia toward Career and Technical Education Standards for Board Certification. The following research questions were used to guide the study: | Research Question One | What is the summary group profile of secondary career and technical education teachers in Georgia toward the Career and Technical Education Standards for National Board Certification as measured by the Stages of Concern Questionnaire? | Research Question Two | Is the Georgia secondary career and technical teacher's peak Stage of Concern toward the Career and Technical Education Standards for National Board Certification as measured by the Stages of Concern Questionnaire dependent on the teacher's (a) career and technical teaching field, (b) years of teaching experience and, (c) highest educational degree held? The data was collected by sending the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (Hall & George, 1979) to a random sample of 529 secondary Georgia career and technical education teachers. A pilot study was performed to determine contents of the survey package and a follow-up study was completed to confirm that nonresponse bias had not altered the results. | The data from the SoC Questionnaire indicated that Georgia secondary career and technical teacher's highest stage of concern is Stage (0) and there were no significant differences based on career and technical education field, years teaching, and highest educational degree.