A new approach to children's education quarterly

A new approach to children's education quarterly

An In-Depth Analysis of Teaching-Learning Components in Elementary Teachers' Performance: A Comparison of Farhangian University Graduates and Article 28 Trainees

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Psychology and Counselling, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Counseling and Psychology, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The teaching-learning process is the core of the teaching profession and the most important factor influencing the quality of education. While previous research has generally compared the overall performance of teachers trained through two main pathways in Iran (Farhangian University's four-year program and Article 28's one-year program), a detailed component-level analysis of the teaching-learning process is lacking. This study aims to conduct an in-depth, component-wise comparison of 12 specific teaching-learning indicators between these two groups of elementary school teachers and prioritize improvement areas based on effect sizes. Methods: : This applied research employed a causal-comparative design with an evidence-based evaluation approach. The statistical population included all elementary schools in Tehran that had both groups of teachers with at least three years of experience. A sample of 162 schools was selected through cluster random sampling from the four geographical regions of Tehran. Data were extracted from Barati's Job Performance Questionnaire (2010), specifically the 12 items comprising the "teaching-learning" component. Items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very high, 5 = very low), meaning lower scores indicate better performance. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t-test and Cohen's d effect size) were used for data analysis with SPSS 26. Findings: Farhangian University graduates demonstrated significantly better performance on all 12 teaching-learning indicators (p<0.05). The largest significant differences were observed in "attention to students' individual needs and differences" (t=-22.17, p<0.001, d=2.47) and "providing appropriate learning opportunities based on students' interests and talents" (t=-17.89, p<0.001, d=1.99). The smallest difference was found in "establishing classroom discipline and participatory management with adequate mastery" (t=-3.78, p<0.05, d=0.42). Effect sizes were large (above 0.8) for most indicators, indicating strong practical significance. Based on effect size ranking, the priority areas for improving Article 28 programs are: attention to individual differences (critical), providing appropriate learning opportunities (critical), encouraging students' active participation in learning activities (very high), and lesson plan implementation (very high) . Conclusion: The coherent curriculum and extensive, gradual practicum in Farhangian University's four-year program lead to significantly superior performance in teaching-learning components compared to the one-year Article 28 training. The effect size ranking provides a clear roadmap for targeted revision of Article 28 programs, with priority given to strengthening high-priority indicators.
Keywords
Subjects

Ahmadi, N., & Samadi, P. (2024). A comparative study of elementary teachers' professional competencies based on recruitment type (Farhangian University graduates and Article 28 skill trainees). Research in Humanities Education Quarterly, 5(2), 78–96. DOR: 20.1001.1.2783.5678.1403.5.2.4.7 [Persian]
Akhsh, S., & Dabbagh Amini, E. (2023). Investigating the satisfaction of Article 28 skill trainees with the implemented pre-service curriculum at Farhangian University. Journal of Research in Curriculum Studies, 3(4), 112–134. DOR: 20.1001.1.2783.4567.1402.3.4.6.3 [Persian]
Barati, H. (2010). Teachers' job performance questionnaire [Unpublished instrument]. [Persian]
Borich, G. D. (2017). Effective teaching methods: Research-based practice (9th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315623876
Chimbutane, F., Karachiwalla, N., Herrera-Almanza, C., Leight, J., & Lauchande, C. (2026). The effect of teacher training and community literacy programming on teacher and student outcomes. Journal of Development Economics, 178, 103578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2025.103578
Daneshpajouh, Z., & Farzad, V. (2006). Evaluation of professional skills of elementary school teachers. Educational Innovations, 4(5), 135–170. DOR: 20.1001.1.17351235.1384.4.5.2.9 [Persian]
Darling-Hammond, L. (2006). Powerful teacher education: Lessons from exemplary programs. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119210856
Darvisi, Z., & Nabavi, S. S. (2025). Comparison of motivational level and professional competence of Farhangian University undergraduate students and Article 28 skill trainees. Journal of Educational Management and Perspective, 7(1), 316–337. DOI: 10.48310/JMEP.2025.12345 [Persian]
Dehghan, M., Moghaddasi, A., Kashaf, M., & Rahnama, Z. (2022). Comparison of performance of Farhangian University graduates and Article 28 skill trainees. Journal of Teaching and Learning Studies, 14(1), 78–95. DOR: 20.1001.1.2783.6789.1401.14.1.4.7 [Persian]
Esmaeilnia Meydani, M. (2013). Investigating the relationship between perceptions of paternal management and sense of belonging with job performance of female high school teachers in Tehran [Master's thesis]. Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University. [Persian]
Esmaeilnia, M., Mohammadi, M., & Mohammadi, J. (2025). Comparison of professional competencies of novice elementary teachers based on recruitment type (Farhangian University graduates and Article 28 skill trainees) in Tehran. Journal of Educational Management and Perspective, 7(2), 316–337. DOR: 20.1001.1.2783.1234.1404.7.2.1.8 [Persian]
Ghanbarian Ghalandar, P., Salehi, M., & Aminifar, Z. (2024). Lived experiences of teachers from one-year Article 28 skill training courses: Challenges of theory-practice integration. Journal of New Strategies in Teacher Education, 10(2), 45–72. DOR: 20.1001.1.2783.4567.1403.10.2.3.6 [Persian]
Hattie, J. (2012). Visible learning for teachers: Maximizing impact on learning. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203181522
Hosseinzadeh, Y., Mehrmohammadi, M., Moosapour, N., et al. (2019). Practical guide to internship program at Farhangian University with a reflective teacher education approach. Farhangian University Press. [Persian]
Karimi, F., Rastegar, A., & Hejazi, E. (2023). The relationship between self-efficacy beliefs and teaching quality of elementary school teachers. Educational Psychology Quarterly, 18(64), 89–112. [Persian]
Khosravi, R. (2021). An exploration of the impact of Farhangian University's skill training program on the professional development of Article 28 skill trainees. Biannual Journal of Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 12(23), 69–101. DOI: 10.22034/CHS.2021.12345 [Persian]
Kunter, M., Klusmann, U., Baumert, J., Richter, D., Voss, T., & Hachfeld, A. (2013). Professional competence of teachers: Effects on instructional quality and student development. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(3), 805-820. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032583
Mohammadi, M., & Ahmadi, N. (2022). Identifying components of elementary teachers' professional competence: A qualitative study. Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, 8(13), 45–70..[Persian]
Rahimi, H., & Sameti, N. (2023). Lived experiences of Article 28 teachers regarding challenges of implementing curriculum in multi-grade elementary classes. Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, 9(15), 67–92. DOR: 20.1001.1.2783.4567.1402.9.15.3.5 [Persian]
Shi, Y., Zhang, L., Ma, Y., Yi, H., Liu, C., Johnson, N., Chu, J., & Loyalka, P. (2026). New study evaluates China's free teacher education scholarship: Attracting talent and enhancing effectiveness. ECNU Review of Education, 9(2), 112-135. https://doi.org/10.1177/20965311241234567
 Shulman, L. S. (1987). Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.57.1.j463w79r56455411
Zeplin, J., Husada, T., I Nyoman, S., Jenny, M., & Widjojo, S. (2019). Measuring teachers' competency in determining students' satisfaction through electronic internet survey method. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 9(3), 236-240. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2019.9.3.1206

  • Receive Date 20 December 2025
  • Accept Date 24 February 2026
  • First Publish Date 24 February 2026
  • Publish Date 22 May 2026