Off-campus UNL users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your NU ID and password. When you are done browsing please remember to return to this page and log out.
Non-UNL users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.
KINDERGARTEN: ITS PURPOSE AS PERCEIVED BY TEACHERS, SUPERVISORS, AND PRINCIPALS
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify a selected number of functions, goals, and purposes for schools educating kindergarten children in the Omaha Public Schools. More specially, the objectives of this study were to: (1) determine what kindergarten teachers, first grade teachers, supervisors, and elementary principals considered to be the major purpose for schools educating kindergarteners, and (2) examine the extent of congruence between the above four groups concerning the purpose for schools educating kindergarten children. The Basic Assumption Inventory was used to assess the opinions of the respondents. The instrument was designed to measure the perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding children's learning and the purpose of kindergarten. The following conclusions are based upon the findings of this study: (1) The chi-square, a statistical test for variance, and the z test showed significant differences existed between principals, kindergarten teachers, first grade teachers, and supervisors in their perceptions of the purpose of kindergarten. (2) Principals differed significantly from supervisors in their perceptions of the purposes and goals of kindergarten on more items than from any other referent group. (3) Congruence seemed to be greater among kindergarten teachers, first grade teachers, and supervisors in their perceptions of the purpose of kindergarten than among kindergarten teachers, first grade teachers, supervisors, and principals. Based upon the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made for further study. (1) Examine the relationship of early childhood education and educators' perceptions regarding the purpose of education. (2) Investigate and compare the actual application of early childhood practices in kindergartens by those educators with early childhood education degrees and/or certification. (3) Answer the question of whether or not school-based inservice programs for kindergarten teachers and principals on how young children learn can influence or move an academic-oriented kindergarten toward a developmental model in kindergarten. (4) Conduct a longitudinal study to examine the impact of a developmentally appropriate kindergarten program on first graders.
Subject Area
Curricula|Teaching
Recommended Citation
BUCKNER, JOYCE MARIA, "KINDERGARTEN: ITS PURPOSE AS PERCEIVED BY TEACHERS, SUPERVISORS, AND PRINCIPALS" (1987). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8715845.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8715845