Ros, Tabatha (2025) Non-traditional teachers and their role in educational inequalities: Navigating the debate. Master thesis, Educational Sciences.
|
Text
ThesisTabathaRos.pdf Download (605kB) | Preview |
Abstract
The growing proportion of non-traditional teachers in the teaching workforce has been the subject of considerable research in existing literature, with an ongoing debate about the teacher quality and effectiveness of non-traditional teachers, and their potential impact on educational inequality. This systematic review examines the different narratives and empirical evidence in existing literature regarding potential benefits and challenges associated with non-traditional teachers. Of the 248 unique studies identified through the databases ERIC, PsycINFO, and Scopus, 14 studies were included in the review after an initial screening of titles and abstracts, followed by a full-text screening. Data from the included studies were extracted through a data extraction form and analysed using both deductive and inductive approaches. The review provides mixed findings, highlighting both challenges and benefits. A recurring challenge concerns insufficient content knowledge, classroom management and pedagogical skills, which may in some cases negatively affect student performance. Conversely, multiple studies show that non-traditional teachers have adequate knowledge and skills, and that they may positively impact student achievement. Several studies also highlight the added value that non-traditional teachers may bring to schools. These mixed results show that there is not one prevailing perspective in this debate. In light of the teacher shortage and the considerable amount of evidence found regarding benefits of non-traditional teachers, this thesis argues that it is more constructive to focus on the potential benefits that non-traditional teachers can bring, while simultaneously viewing the identified challenges as opportunities for further improvement.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Coppe, T. |
| Degree programme: | Educational Sciences |
| Differentiation route: | Onderwijskunde [Master Educational Sciences] |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jun 2025 12:22 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2025 12:22 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5114 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |