Pre-service teachers' reader profiles: stability and change throughout teacher education

Background Considering (1) that reading proficiency is fundamental for educational success, (2) the reciprocal relationship between affective aspects of reading (e.g., reading attitude and motivation) and reading behaviour and ability, (3) the alarming decline in students' reading attitude throughout primary and secondary education and (4) the rather large group of pre-service teachers starting teacher education with a negative reading attitude, this study used a person-centred approach to examine the development of pre-service teachers' reading attitude throughout teacher education and how it relates to their perceived reading ability and reading behaviour. Methods In a sample of 128 pre-service teachers, cluster (movement) analysis was executed at the start of teacher education and near graduation to identify different reading attitude clusters and possible changes throughout teacher education. A distinction between purpose (recreational vs academic) and context (personally vs socially oriented) was made when assessing reading attitude components. Results Three reading attitude profiles (i.e., personally oriented, socially oriented and low attitude) were corroborated at both measurement occasions. Cluster movement analysis identified that the majority remained in the same profile over time (53-62%). When pre-service teachers did switch profile, they most likely evolved towards the personally- or socially-oriented profile (reading as a mere personal activity vs willing to interact about reading, respectively). Convergent validity evidence was found in that pre-service teachers in the low-attitude profile (24%) were least likely to read and perceived themselves as least competent in reading. They further appeared to be least willing to invest in reading promotion in their future school(s) of all profiles. Conclusions It may be worrisome that about one fourth of the pre-service teachers in this sample enters the profession with a rather negative reading attitude. Encouragingly, the majority of pre-service teachers either retained or increased their positive reading attitude throughout teacher education. Highlights What is already known about this topic Differences in reading attitude are related to differences in reading behaviour and perceived reading ability. There is a declining trend in primary and secondary school students' reading attitude, starting at the end of primary school. Nearly half of all pre-service teachers start teacher education with a negative reading attitude. What this paper adds Person-centred movement analysis provided a basis to map the stability and change of pre-service teachers' reading attitude profiles' throughout teacher education. Pre-service teachers' reading attitude remains rather stable throughout teacher education and is related to reading behaviour and perceived reading ability. Almost one fourth of the pre-service teachers graduate with a quite negative reading attitude. Implications for theory, policy or practice The urgency to address reading attitude more adequately in teacher education and to attend more closely to pre-service teachers' individual differences in reading attitude. The importance of using a longitudinal approach to gain insight into reading attitude development throughout teacher education and preferably also during the first crucial years in the profession. This longitudinal study could be a possible step in the process of (re)designing teacher education programs and continuing professional development trajectories in relation to reading attitude.