Teacher training coeducational look

Abstract

In this paper, the results from a research project funded by the Vitoria-Gasteiz Council are presented. Its purpose is to analyse the presence of coeducation in the schools of the municipality. Issues about training needs perceived by teachers, their attitudes considering coeducation and their own training proposals are also addressed.

Questionnaires and focus groups were developed and carried out for data collection. The questionnaires were completed by a sample of 421 teachers and 49 members of the school management teams. In order to deepen on the issues derived from the results of the questionnaires, five focus groups were conducted, two with teachers and three with students. The results highlight that most teaching staff needs and is willing to be trained on this matter. They also agree that teachers require sensitization considering gender equality. Only 7.7% of the surveyed sample thinks that these issues should not be the educational centers’ own responsibility; while 84.4% believes that schools should have more resources to include co-educational practices as part of the daily tasks. The present results agree with outcomes from previous research.