Date of Award

7-1-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a gender difference exists between students1 perception of male and female teacher expectation. Student perceptions were determined by administering the Student Perception Inventory (SPI) developed by McBride (1990). Three high schools and five junior high schools which included 15 teachers participated in the study. All students who participated were enrolled in co-educational physical activity classes. All students were surveyed at the beginning of the class period. There were 363 students surveyed. Of the 363 students surveyed, 342 were considered usable. Analysis of the data included frequency and percentage of response, as well as cross-tabulating and Mann-Whitney U Test. A Mann-Whitney U Test (p < .05) indicated that female students with a male teacher perceived that they were treated differently than male students with a male teacher. Also, students perceived male and female teachers as setting equal standards for male and female students. Yet, the study could not show how or why students perceived a differential treatment from male and female teachers. In general, the study showed that female students tended to enroll in a physical activity class taught by female teacher more often than a male teacher, whereas, male students had activity classes with a male teacher. However, the study could not conclude why such a pattern existed.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright 1994, Cari Robin Turner

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