Looking Back and Moving Ahead

Abstract

We conducted a content analysis to examine trends in articles published between 1996 and 2014 in two journals— Teacher Education and Special Education ( TESE) and the Journal of Teacher Education ( JTE). Across both journals, we coded 1,062 articles categorically based on multiple attributes (e.g., type, topics, methodology, funding, geographic location, and student outcomes). We then analyzed these data using visual inspection, magnitude of trend, and percent of change. Most notably, we confirmed reductions in nonempirical articles, survey research, qualitative inquiries, and program descriptions. By contrast, we observed increases in articles that included P-12 student outcomes and in quantitative research, as well as in topics of in-service, global, and clinical experiences. Taken together, these findings allow us to chart a path forward for teacher development research, policy, and practice.