Author : Waysima

Summary : This study aimed to determine the confluence of some factors in student teaching program on attitude toward teaching. Specifically, it sought to: 1) determine the student teachers' attitude toward teaching; 2) determine the effect of the characteristics of student teachers on their attitude toward teaching; 3) ascertain the relationship of attitude toward teaching and characteristics of cooperating teachers' performance in the student teaching; and 4) determine the confluence of some factors in student teaching program on attitude toward teaching. The study surveyed 82 student teachers who were sent to 20 co-operating schools in South Sumatera and almost all agricultural high schools in Java Island for their three-month student teaching, each under a cooperating teacher. Questionnaires were used in gathering data. Frequency counts, percentages, means, T-tests, Pearson product-moment coefficient of correlation, and full regression model with weighted variables were used in data analysis. Findings revealed that, in general, the student teachers' attitude toward teaching was slightly favorable, with attitude toward educational principles appearing to be more favorable than the other components of teaching. The condition of cooperating schools was perceived as slightly favorable, particularly those of teaching-learning equipment and opportunities for student teachers to be active participate in the community. Job performance of cooperating teachers, who had relatively short work experience as cooperating teachers, was perceived as very favorable, particularly in their relationship with the student teachers. Regarding characterstics of student teachers (i.e., high school background and compatibility of specialization with subject matter taught), there were no differences in the components of attitude toward teaching, except in attitude toward educational principles when compared according to high school background. The student teachers' attitude toward educational principles with agricultural high school background was more favorable than that of those with general high school background. Job performance of cooperating teachers was significantly related with attitude toward educational principles, while physical facilities of cooperating schools was significantly related with attitude toward educational principles, while physical facilities of cooperating schools was significantly related with attitude toward educational principles, moral status of students, and teaching as a whole. Performance in student teaching appeared to have a negative relationship with attitude toward human development principles. Confluence of some factors in student teaching was found in the contribution of job performance of cooperating teachers, physical facilities of cooperating schools, and teaching and managing class activities in student teaching.