Article 2012

Troops to Teaching: Lessons from English teaching assistants' experiences of foundation degree study

SP
Smith, Paul H.
Journal of Education for Teaching
Journal · Vol. 38 · Issue 5 · pp. 525-537
Abstract

This article explores the suggestion that the UK should follow the lead of the United States and establish Troops to Teaching programmes. In particular, it examines the worth of the suggestion that non-graduate qualifications similar to those that have been designed for teaching assistants might be usefully employed to achieve this. In England, foundation degree study has typically been the route followed by teaching assistants who have decided that they would like to become qualified teachers. The value of adopting such an approach, in relation to the UK coalition government's desire to establish a viable Troops to Teaching programme, is specifically explored. Research which has investigated English school-based teaching assistants' experiences of participating in foundation degree study is drawn upon to interrogate this theme. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Teacher training lifelong learning foundation degree widening participation Troops to Teaching

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Faculty of Education and Theology, York St John University, York, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Investigating the Gender Discourse for Mature Women on A Foundation Degree Programme, (2005)
2 Barkham, Jo, Suitable work for women? Roles, relationships and changing identities of 'other adults' in the early years classroom, British Educational Research Journal, 34, 6, pp. 839-853, (2008)
3 Barkol, Rina, Israel: Retraining Military Officers as Principals, International Journal of Educational Reform, 5, 3, pp. 305-309, (1996)
4 Some can Be Done Troops in Our Schools Will do More than Troops on Our Streets, (2011)
5 Troops to Teachers A Successful Programme from America for Our Inner City Schools, (2008)
6 Masculinities, (1995)
7 Working with Teaching Assistants A Good Practice Guide, (2000)
8 White Paper the Importance of Teaching, (2010)
9 Critical Social Policy, (2011)
10 Dunne, Linda, Teaching assistants' perceptions of their professional role and their experiences of doing a Foundation Degree, Improving Schools, 11, 3, pp. 239-249, (2008)
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