Analysis of the Professional Needs of the Teachers* of Multigrade Classes

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the professional needs of the teachers teaching in multigrade classes
in Turkey. In this research, the descriptive survey model was used. The research sample consisted of teachers of 238
multigrade classes. Data was gathered through the adaptation of “Multigrade Class Teacher Competency Scale”. The results
indicated multigrade class teachers have different professional needs in terms of school management works, curriculum
literacy, education and evaluation. However, the professional needs of multigrade class teachers are not varied according to
their gender, teaching experience, professional position, attending in-service trainings, their reason of appointment and the
willingness to teach in multigrade classes. The proffesional needs of the multigrade teachers based on the school features are
not varied according to the economic condition and the social environment of the school. On the other hand, multigrade
teachers who have taught the same class for three years have significantly more professional needs than the ones that have
taught the same class for one year.