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Due to poor school performance among significant numbers of minority students in U.S. schools, many parents, educators, and policymakers now look to teacher education programs (TEPs) to prepare preservice teachers more effectively for student diversity. Unfortunately, although multicultural TEPs and courses have been in existence for quite some time, we know very little about the nature of teacher learning and development and the conditions that promote teacher learning for student diversity in both preservice courses and field experiences. Moreover, we know little about what program components improve learning experiences for culturally and linguistically diverse students. In this article, we propose a reconceptualization of multicultural teacher education. For this purpose, we summarize basic principles of cultural-historical theory that must be considered by teacher educators who prepare preservice teachers for student diversity. We also discuss how cultural-historical theory can inform research designs as teacher educators attempt to assess preservice teacher learning. Through preliminary analysis of a study conducted in a preservice teacher education course, we provide examples of how constructs from cultural-historical theory are being used to assess teacher learning about teaching and learning in multicultural contexts.

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This study will explore student skill development and research self-efficacy as related to online doctoral students’ first core research course experience. Findings from this study will be used to inform instructors in effective ways to support doctoral students during their early research experiences. This support will ensure that online graduate students will develop well-crafted dissertations and following graduation, continue to conduct research. The original research design was a grounded theory study where both qualitative and quantitative data were to be collected prior to students starting the course and following course completion. It was proposed to collect data through interviews, observations in the form of documented online discussions and correspondences, and the Research Self-Efficacy Scale (RSES). Course grades and final research outline projects were supposed to be examined to determine student mastery of key concepts. A convenience sample was to be drawn but due to a low response rate, the authors decided to apply an exploratory case study method and use this as a pilot to inform a larger study. The final result of the case study analysis will be detailed descriptions of each case with discussion of categories and themes along with the exploration of commonalities and differences.