Skip to main content
Log in

The tension in turkish teacher education: Conflict and controversy during the transformation from an academic approach to a professional approach

  • Published:
Asia Pacific Education Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Most of the reforms, which have been undertaken in the last 30 years in the Turkish educational system, are about teacher education. When we examine the teacher education curriculum from the perspective of these reforms, it has been observed that there is a controversy between the academic and professional approaches used in these curricula. While the reforms undertaken in 1982 and 1997 were in favor of the academic approach, the latest reform undertaken in 2006 was made to strengthen the professional aspects of teacher education curriculum. In this paper, Turkish teacher education reforms are introduced in the light of the professional and the academic approaches, which have always been the topic of discussions about teacher education.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akyüz, Y. (2004).Türk eğitim tarihi M.Ö. 1000-M.S. 2004 [Turkish history of education. 1000 B.C. - 2004 A. D.]. Ankara: Pegem A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akpıar, B., & Özer, B. (2004). Teknik eğitim fakültesi öğretmenlik meslek bilgisi derslerinin öğrenci görüşlerine göre değerlendirilmesi. [The evaluation of the course of the knowledge of teaching profession in the teachical education faculties according to the ideas of students].Fırat Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 14, 147–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altunya, N. (2000).Egitimde geleceğe bakış [Looking at the future in education]. Ankara: Uygun.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altunya, N. (2006).Gazi Eğitim Enstitüsü [Gazi Education Institute] (1926–1980). Ankara: Gazi Üniversitesi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, J. W., Blackmon, C. R., & Mackey, J. A. (1980). Preservice performance and the national teachers exams.Phi Delta Kappan, 61(5), 358–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashton, P., & Crocker, L. (1987). Systematic study of planned variations: The essential focus of teacher education reform.Journal of Teacher Education, 38(3), 2–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ataman, A. (1998). Eğitim fakültelerinin yeniden yapılandırılmasının düşündürdükleri [Remarks on restructuring of education faculties].Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Yönetimi, 14, 263- 270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ataünal, A. (2003). Niçin ve nasıl bir öğretmen [What kind of teacher]? Ankara: MEV.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayers, J. B., & Quails, G. S. (1979). Concurrent and predictive validity of the national teacher examinations.Journal of Educational Research, 73(2), 86–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bestor, A. (1953).Educational wastelands. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyer, L. E., & Zeichner, K. M. (1982). Teacher training and educational foundations: A plea for discontent.Journal of Teacher Education, 33(3), 18–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binbaşıoğlu, C. (1993).Türkiye’de eğitim bilimleri tarihi [The history of educational sciences in Turkey]. Istanbul: Milli Eğitim.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borrowman, M. L. (1965) Liberal education and the professional preparation of teachers. In M. L. Borrowman (Ed.),Teacher education in America. A documentary history (pp. 1–53). New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broudy, H. (1967). The role of the foundational studies in the preparation of teachers. In S. Elam (Ed.),Improving teacher education in the United States (pp. 1–22). Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bülbül, S. (1999). Öğretmen yetiştirmede yeniden yapılanma [Restructuring in teacher education]. In H. H. Tekışık (Ed.),21 Yüzyılın Eşiğinde Türk Eğitim Sisterni Ulusal Sempozyumu (pp.252–256). Ankara: Tekışı:k.

    Google Scholar 

  • Can, G. (1987). Öğretmenlik meslek anlayşçı üzerine bir araştırma (Ankara okullarında) [A research on professional apprehension (in Ankara)].Anadolu Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 2(1), 159–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Can, G. (1989).Öğretmen adaylannin öğrencilere yönelik tutumlaı [Student teachers’ attitudes towards students]. Eskişehir: Anadolu Üniversitesi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carnegie Forum. (1986).A nation prepared: Teachers for the 21st century. Washington, DC: The Forum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chi, M. T., Glaser, R., & Rees, E. (1982). Expertise in problem solving. In R. J. Sternberg (Ed.),Advances in the psychology of human intelligence (Vol.1, pp.7–75). Hillsdale, NJ: Earlbum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, D. L., & Marker, G. (1975). The institutionalization of teacher education. In K. Ryan (Ed.),Teacher education (74th yearbook of the national society for the study of education) (pp.53–86). Chicago: Chicago University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifford, G. J., & Guthrie, J. W. (1988).Ed school Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conant, J. B. (1963).The education of American teachers. New York: McGraw- Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cruickshank, D. R. (1985).Models for the preparation of America’s teacher. Bloomington, IN: The Phi Delta Kappa Education Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darling-Hammond, L. (1991). Are our teachers ready to teach?Newsletter of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, 1, 6–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delandsheere, G. (1988) Concepts of teacher education. In M. J. Dunkin (Ed.),The International encyclopedia of teaching and teacher education. (pp. 77–82). Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denton, J. J., & Lacina, L. J. (1984). Quantity of professional education coursework linked with process neasures of education.Teacher Education and Practice, 1(1), 39–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Druva, C, & Anderson, R. (1983). Science teacher characteristics by teacher behavior and student outcome: A meta-analysis of research.Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20(5), 467- 479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ducharme, E. R. (1985). Establishing the place of teacher education in the university.Journal of Teacher Education, 36(4), 8–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duman, T. (1991).Türkiye’de ortaöğretime öğretmen yetiştirme. [Secondary teacher education in Turkey]. Istanbul: Milli Eğitim.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duman, T. (1998). Cumhuriyetimizin 75 yılında öğretmen yetiştirme sistemimiz ve sorunları [Our system of teacher education and problems in 75th anniversary of the our republic].Milli Eğitim, 139, 36–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duru, İ. H. (1998). Eğitim fakülteleri tartışması [Conclusions on education faculties].Cumhuriyet Bilim Teknik, 575, 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erden, M. (1995). Öğretmen adaylarinm öğretmenlik sertifikası derslerine yönelik tutumları. [The attitudes of teacher candidates toward the courses of teaching certificate].Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 11, 99–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evertson, C. M., Howley, W. D., & Zlotnik, M. (1985). Making a difference in educational quality through teacher education.Journal of Teacher Education, 36(3), 2–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feiman-Nemser, S. (1990). Teacher preparation: Structural and conceptual alternatives. In Houston, W. R., Haberman, M., & Sikula, J. (Eds.),Handbook of research on teacher education (pp. 212–233). New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feiman-Nemser, S., & Norman, P. (2000). Teacher education from initial preparation to continuing Professional development. In B. Moon, M. Ben-Peretz, & S. Brown (Eds.),Routledge international companion to education (pp. 732–755). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, P., & Womack, S. T. (1993). The impact of subject matter and education coursework on teaching performance.Journal of Teacher Education, 44(1), 55- 63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gideonse, H. D. (1984) A future role for liberal arts colleges in the preparation of teachers. In A. Tom (Ed.),Teacher education in liberal arts settings (pp. 1–12) Washington DC: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, M., & Clift, R. (1990). The hidden curriculum in teacher education. In Houston, W.R., Haberman, M., & Sikula, J. (Eds.),Handbook of research on teacher education (pp. 450–465). New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldhaber, D. D., & Brewer, D. J. (1997). Why don’t schools and teachers seem to matter? Assessing the impact of unobservables on educational productivity.Journal of Human Resources, 32(3), 505–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldhaber, D. D., & Brewer, D. J. (2000). Does teacher certification matter? High school teacher certification status and student achievement.Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 22(2), 129–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodlad, J. I. (1990).Teachers for our nation’s schools. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, G. M., Onkol, P. E., & Sands, M. (2007). Curriculum reform in Turkish teacher education: Attitudes of teacher educators towards change in an EU candidate nation.International Journal of Educational Development, 27(2), 138–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guyton, E., & Farokhi, E. (1987). Relationships among academic performance, basic skills subject matter knowledge, and teaching skills of teacher education graduates.Journal of Teacher Education, 38(5), 37–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haney, W., Madaus, G., & Kreitzer, A. (1987). Charms talismanic: Testing teachers for the improvement of American education. In E. Rothkopf, (Ed.),Review of research in education (pp. 169–238). Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawk, P., Cobble, C, & Swanson, M. (1985). Certification: It does matter.Journal of Teacher Education, 36(3), 12–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes Group. (1986).Tomorrow’s teachers: A report of the Holmes Group. East Lansing, MI: Holmes Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell, J., & Shimahara, N. (1969). Educational foundations: Contributions at the undergraduate level.Teachers College Records, 71(2), 207–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, I. L. (1957)American education in the twentieth century. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavcar, C. (1999). Nitelikli öğretmen sorunu [The problem of quality teacher]. In H. H. Tekışık (Ed.),Yüzyılın Eşiğinde Türk Eğitim Sistemi Ulusal Sempozyumu (pp. 267–279). Ankara: Tekışık.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavcar, C. (2002). Cumhuriyet döneminde dal öğretmeni yetiştirme [Subject-matter teacher education in republic period].Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 35(1), 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaya, Y. K. (1984).İns an yetiştirme düzenimiz [Our system of educating people]. Ankara: H. Ü. Eğitim Fakültesi.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, J. (1987) The uneasy relationship between teacher education and the liberal arts & sciences.Journal of Teacher Education.38(1), 6–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koehler, V. (1985). Research on preservice teacher education.Journal of Teacher Education, 36(1), 23–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koerner, J. (1963).The miseducation of American teachers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korkut, H., & Doğan, E. (2004). Türkiye’de eğitim fakültelerinde görev yapan öğretim elemanlarının eğitim profilleri ve öğretmen adaylarının eğitim fakültelerine geliş. kaynaklan [Educational profiles of the instructors in education faculties in Turkey and the teacher candidates’ sources to enter to education faculties].Bur dur Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 5(2)146- 179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, R. (1991)Ed school follies: The miseducation of America’s teachers. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Küçükahmet, L. (1993).Öğretmen yetiştirme ( programları ve uygulamaları ) [Teacher education (curricula and practices)]. Ankara: Gazi Üniversitesi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanier, J. (1984). The preservice teacher education improvement project: A critical review.Journal of Teacher Education, 35(4), 24–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lasley, T. J., & Applegate, J. (1982). The education of secondary teachers: Rhetoric or reform.Journal of Teacher Education, 33(1)3–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lortie, D. (1975).Schoolteacher: A sociological study. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynd, A. (1953).Quackery in the publics schools. Boston: Little Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, G. (1980). Why teachers can’t teach.Phi Delta Kappan, 62(2), 108–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, T. R., Anderson, G. L., & Hunter, P. (1962). The university and professional education. In N. B. Henry (Ed.),Education for the professions (pp. 254- 278). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milli Egitim Bakanhğı (MEB) (1989).Öğretmen yetiştirme danışma kurulu toplantısı [The information meeting for teacher preparation]. Ankara: Milli Eğitim.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milli Eğitim Bakanhği (MEB) (1993a).Milli Eğitim Bakanhği ile eğitim fakülteleri arasında öğretmen yetiştirme toplantısı [The meeting of teacher preparition]. Ankara: Milli Eğitim.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milli Eğitim Bakanhği (MEB) (1993b).Öğretmen yetiştirmede koordinasyon ve işbirliği toplantısı [The meeting of coordination and cooperation in teacher education]. Ankara: Milli Eğitim.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milli Eğitim Bakanlıgı (MEB) (1996).Öğretmen yetiştirmede koordinasyon ve işbirliği toplantısı [The meeting of coordination and cooperation in teacher education]. Ankara: Milli Eğitim.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, L. S. (1981).The graves of academe. Toronto: Little, Brown & Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monk, D. H., & King, J. K. (1994). Multilevel teacher resource effects on pupil performance in secondary mathematics and science: The case of teacher subject- matter preparation. In R. B. Ehrenberg (Ed.),Choices and consequences: Contemporary policy issues in education (pp. 29–58). Ithaca, NY: ILR Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okçabol, R. (2005).Öğretmen yetiştirme sistemimiz [Our system of teacher education]. Ankara: Ütopya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okçabol, R., & Gök, F. (1998).Öğretmen profili araştırma raporu [The report of teacher profile research]. Ankara: Eğitim-Sen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Önsoy, R. (1998). Üniversitelerimiz ve öğretmen yetiştirme [Our Universities and teacher education].Milli Egitim, 139, 18–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peseau, B. A. (1982). Developing an adequate research base for teacher education.Journal of Teacher Education, 33(4) 13–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, R. J. (1993).Foundational studies in teacher education. Washington, DC: Council on Postsecondary Accreditation. (ERIC Document Republic Service No. ED385 519).

    Google Scholar 

  • Quirk, T. J., Witten, B. J., & Weinberg, S. F. (1973). Review of studies of the concurrent and predictive validity of the National teacher examination.Review of Educational Research, 43(1), 89–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadker, M. P., & Sadker, D. M. (2000)Teachers, schools, and society. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saçh, Ö. A. (1998). Öğretmen yetiş.tirmede yeni yaklaşımlar [New approaches in teacher education].Milli Eğitim, 137, 64–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schewebel, M. (1985) The clash of cultures in academe: The university and the education faculty.Journal of Teacher Education, 36(4) 2–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, J. (1999).The school of education. Its mission, faculty, and reward structure. New York: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching.Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4- 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soder, R., & Sirotnik, K. A. (1990). Beyond reinventing the past: The politics of teacher education. In J. I. Goodlad, R. Soder, & K. A. Sirotnik (Eds.),Places where teachers are taught (pp.385–411). San Francisco: Jossey- Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sözer, E. (1992).Eğitim fakültesi öğrencileri ili öğretmenlik sertifikası programı öğrencilerinin öğretmenlik mes leğine yönelik tutumları [Education faculty Students’ attitudes toward the program of teacher certificate and teacher profession]. Eskişehir: Anadolu Üniversitesi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tom, A. (1997).Redesigning teacher education. New York: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuncor, F. R. (1996).Milli Eğitim Bakanığı yayınları bibliyografyası [The bibliography of the publications of the Ministry of National Education]. İstanbul: Milli Eğitim.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyson, H. (1994).Who will teach the children. Prograss and resistance in teacher education. San Francisco: Jossy-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Türk Diyanet Vakfı (TDV) (1996).Türk eğitim sistemi. Alternatif perspektif [Turkey’s education system. Alternative perspective]. Ankara: Türk Diyanet Vakfı.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uçan, A., Bakış, A.Y., Aydın, S., & Kaptan, S. (1980). Öğretmen yetiştirmeüzerine bir araştırma [A research on teacher preparation]. Ankara: Hacertepe Üniversitesi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, D. E. (1939).The Turkey of Ataturk. Social process in the Turkish reformation. Philadelphia: The American academy of Political and Social Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S. (1998).Comparison, understanding and teacher education in international perspective. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yükseköğretim Kurulu (YÖK) (1997).Report on Redesigning the Teacher Education Programs at the Faculties of Education in Turkish Universities. Ankara: YÖK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yükseköğretim Kurulu (YÖK) (2006).Eğitim fakültelerinde uygulanacak yeni programlar [New curricula of Education Faculties]. Retrieved December 4, 2006, from Yükseköğretim Kurulu, http://www.yok.gov.tr/ egitim/ogretmen/yeni_programlar.htm.

  • Yüksel, S. (2004). Egitim fakültesi öğrencilerinin öğretmenlik meslek bilgisi derslerine yönelik direnç davranışları [Resistance behaviors of education faculty students to teaching certificate courses].Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 4(1), 171–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeichner, K. M., & Liston, D. P. (1990). Restructuring teacher education.Journal of Teacher Education, 41(2), 3–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sedat Yüksel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yüksel, S. The tension in turkish teacher education: Conflict and controversy during the transformation from an academic approach to a professional approach. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. 9, 367–379 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03026724

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03026724

Key words

Navigation