The effect of an educational administration course on the expectations of pre-service teachers

Abstract

This article investigates the effect of the completion of an undergraduate educational administration course on the expectations of pre‐service teachers regarding school organisation. Data were collected from 225 students enrolled in the primary education programme of the University of Cyprus. According to the findings, respondents who had completed the administration course had more modest, and probably more realistic, expectations with respect to some aspects of school organisation. The significant differences between course completers and non‐completers concerned the future role of the teacher in the school system and the role of his/her superiors. The following recommendations are offered: the inclusion of the educational administration module in the course requirements of the primary education programme; the improvement of the practicum currently offered by the education department; and the attendance to problems in school administration, especially in the area of teacher evaluation.