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An example of the process being used in the development of Christian-Secular Teacher Certification

David B. Hand,  Doctoral dissertation: Teacher Certification: A Qualitative Study Of Cultural Views From Public And Private School Policymakers, Oklahoma State University, May 1996

"As a constructivist study it is believed that multiple "knowledges" can coexist between cultures and that the constructs of these cultures are subject to change and continuous revision when the cultures are brought into juxtaposition in a dialectical context (Denzin & Lincoln, 1994).
The assumption is that when the two competing cultures of public education and private education are observed, the categories and assumptions discovered would identify and describe how the individuals from each of the cultures construe the world of teacher certification. These categories and assumptions would then be analyzed for themes of commonality and themes of differences. This would indicate areas where the two cultures of public and private education could collaborate to achieve a working consensus and develop mutually benefiting articulation agreements regarding the recognition and certification of teachers.

                            Operational Definitions of the Study

The following are the operational definitions of terms used in the culture of teacher certification and in this qualitative long interview study. The terms defined in this chapter reflect the definitions found in the review of literature regarding teacher certification. Some of the terms used are value neutral and cross both cultures of public and private education. However, some of the terms are defined and used differently in the two cultures. While some terms are applicable in one culture, they are nonapplicable to the other. This listing also includes the names and acronymns of national organizations and consortiums involved at some level in the culture of teacher certification."