Assessing Dispositions Toward Cultural Diversity among Preservice Teachers

Abstract

Teacher education interventions designed to help individuals acquire understandings and skills needed to work effectively with culturally diverse student populations may not have significant impact unless teachers as learners are willing to explore beyond the familiar comfort zone of the majority cultural status quo. The purpose of this study was to assess preservice teachers’ attitudes toward cultural diversity prior to their entry into multicultural education courses at an urban university. Respondents indicated strong support for implementing diversity issues in the classroom, and high levels of agreement with equity beliefs and the social value of diversity. They did not agree that assimilation to the dominant culture was a requisite for student success.