Cultivating Multicultural Dispositions: Assessing the Impact of a Multicultural Education Course on Preservice Teachers at an HBCU

This research examined the impact of a multicultural education course on the cultivation of critical dispositions and cultural competence among future educators at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The purpose of this study was to understand how this course affected students' self-awareness, recognition of personal biases, and broadening of worldviews. Using a mixed-methods approach, post-only quantitative data from the Multicultural Teacher Dispositions Scale (MTDS) and qualitative reflections from 23 preservice teachers selected through convenience sampling were combined in the study. The MTDS evaluates three dispositions of multiculturalism in preservice teachers: meekness, social awareness, and advocacy. The results revealed from moderate to strong endorsement of the meekness disposition, which means openness to diverse perspectives and self-reflection. The social awareness was moderately endorsed, with students recognising systemic inequities and valuing diverse viewpoints in education. The advocacy disposition showed mixed results, highlighting areas for growth in challenging institutional biases and promoting inclusivity. The qualitative analysis identified three key themes in students' reflections: embracing discomfort, self-awareness and bias recognition, effective communication as well as cultural sensitivity. Participants reported broadened worldviews, greater appreciation for cultural diversity, and increased confidence in engaging with diverse backgrounds. The study provided empirical evidence for the effectiveness of structured multicultural education courses in enhancing critical dispositions and cultural competence among preservice teachers. It emphasises the importance of incorporating opportunities for self-reflection, exploration of diverse perspectives, and addressing personal biases and discomfort within teacher preparation programs. These findings are crucial for teacher education programs at HBCUs preparing culturally competent educators for increasingly diverse classrooms. The study also suggests a need for on-going research on strategies to cultivate multicultural dispositions and to study the long-term impact of multicultural education courses on teaching practices.