Faculty of Education - Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Early childhood teachers beliefs and knowledge on preschool retention

Betschart, Petra ( 2019)

This study examined early childhood teachers’ beliefs and knowledge on children’s school readiness and preschool retention. The study collected questionnaires and interview data from early childhood teachers in mainstream, Montessori and Steiner preschool programmes on children’s school readiness and preschool retention, in an attempt to understand current retention beliefs, knowledge and practices of particular educational philosophies. Results indicate that teachers regardless of their educational philosophy believe that preschool retention is appropriate for children considered socially and emotionally immature. Beliefs were based on teaching experiences rather than research results. This study has important implications for teacher education and policy makers in addressing the discrepancy between teachers’ beliefs and practice, and current research on the effectiveness of retention.