Needs Assessment for American History Teachers 2008-2009

This purpose of this survey is to get your input for a grant application that will provide training for 5th, 8th, and 11th grade teachers who are teaching American History. The statements/questions below will address your practice in teaching American History and your academic preparation to teach this course.
Your participation is absolutely confidential and is essential to our developing a proposal that meets the needs of our American History teachers. Please contact Denny Dawson dawsond@stlucie.k12.fl.us for any questions and comments. Thank you for your participation no later than November 23rd


A red asterisk (*) indicates required questions.

  1. Select the grade level you are currently teaching *
    5
    8
    11


  1. Your college degree(s) and major(s) (please include all)*


  1. Number of American History courses in college (include any courses whose focus is on American History undergrad) as well as any American History related graduate courses.*
    none
    1
    2
    3 or more
    6 or more


  1. Number of years teaching American History (or 5th grade)*
    first year
    2 years
    3 - 5 years
    6 - 10 years
    11 + years


  1. For grade 5 teachers only, what is the amount of time that is spent teaching American History per week in your classroom?
    15 minutes or less
    15 minutes to 30 minutes
    30 minutes to 1 hour
    1 hour to 2 hours


  1. I use primary resources (including text documents, artifacts, photographs and images) in my classroom instruction *
    1 time per year
    1 time per month
    at least 1 time per week
    almost daily


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach my students the Colonial period of American History.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach my students the foundations of the Constitution and Constitutional History.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach the immigration of ethnic groups from Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach the causes and effects of the Civil War, including the post Civil War concept of nationalism.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)
    *
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach the Constitutional foundations of the Progressive Movement.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach the historical significance and long-term effects of the New Deal.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach the civil rights movement from the 14th amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I am knowledgeable of the content and can effectively teach the beginning and ending of the Cold War.
    (1 - strongly agree, 2 - somewhat agree, 3 - do not agree, 4 - strongly disagree, 5 - not in my grade level scope & sequence)*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. With regards to professional development for American History content, what is your preferred way to participate?
    (please limit to no more than 3 choices)*
    I am not interested in any additional American History content
    I prefer mostly weekends throughout the school year
    I prefer mostly during the Summer
    I prefer mostly afterschool
    I prefer during the normal school day
    I want to participate in 1 day and multi-day study tours and content workshopsfield experiences
    I want to participate in on-line discussion groups and other web based distance learning options