A unidimensional interpretation of the concept of teacher role

The conceptualization of teacher role in terms of the six dimensions of director of learning, counselling and guidance person, mediator of the culture, member of the school community, link between school and community, and member of the profession has led to the six-factor Role Dimension Profile Scale. However, when responses to the scale used with a Likert data collection format from a sample of 380 teacher education students are analyzed according to a generalization of the Simple Logistic Model, the six factors fall along a unidimensional continuum, and are hierarchically ordered. This dimension is interpreted as the teacher’s professional horizon. Implications of these results, especially for research into change in teacher role concept, are discussed.