The Image of Resource Teachers in Schools and Colleges

THE IMAGE of resource teachers, as perceived by a representative sample of 600 administrators and teachers in Queensland secondary schools and TAFE colleges, was measured using a semantic differential instrument. Results show that resource teachers as a group enjoy a strongly positive image, and that a significantly more positive image of resource teachers is held by those who use their services than by those who do not. Few significant differences of perceived image were found between administrators and teachers, and teachers of different subject areas while none was found between male and female respondents, and less and more experienced teachers. Ways are suggested in which resource teachers can extend their influence with administrators and teachers.