The relationship among selected appraisals in predicting effective beginning teaching

Beginning school teachers in Indiana in school years 1986-87 and 1987-88 who graduated from Ball State University, Indiana State University, Indiana University, and Purdue University (D=1,607) were studied to determine the relationship of NTE Core Battery subtest scores, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, and undergraduate grade point average (GPA) to beginning teaching effectiveness as measured by the Beginning Teacher Assessment Inventory (BTAI). The BTAI is an inventory listing eight criteria for which a beginning teacher must demonstrate minimal competence in order to complete the Indiana internship requirement. Findings were based on an analysis of data obtained from 663 beginning teachers in 163 Indiana school corporations. No empirical evidence indicated that NTE Core Battery subtest scores provide useful information for predicting beginning teaching effectiveness. Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) provided more accurate predictions of beginning teaching effectiveness than did the NTE Core Batter subtests. The ability of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores to possess a statistically significant relationship with values on the Beginning TeacherAssessment Inventory (BTAI) was not substantiated. Females systematically scored higher than males on the BTAI assessment areas. Results were consistent for graduates from all four major state universities in the study.Department of Educational LeadershipThesis (D. Ed.