Evaluation of Primary Teacher Candidates' Views on Multigrade Class Application

The concept of multigrade classroom implementation involves two or more classes forming a group and learning together under the guidance of a single teacher. This study aims to evaluate the views of prospective primary teachers regarding multigrade classroom practices. The research was conducted on 30 final-year prospective primary teachers enrolled in the Department of Primary School Teaching at Bartın University Faculty of Education during the 2024-2025 academic year. The research model is descriptive. The descriptive model is a research approach that reflects an existing situation as it is. In determining the participants in the study, the easily accessible sampling method was used. Convenience sampling method is a sampling method that provides convenience to the researcher in terms of time, expense and reaching the participants. Semi-structured interview form was used to collect data in the study. Semi-structured interview form was developed by the researcher. During the development of the semi-structured interview form, an expert opinion was obtained from an academician working in the field of primary education. Content analysis method was used in the evaluation of the data obtained in the study. The answers given by the participants to the questions in the semi-structured interview form were coded, and then these codes were divided into themes. Percentage calculations from statistical methods and techniques were used in the analysis of the data in the study. As a result of the research, it was determined that all of the primary teacher candidates (%100) did not take any courses related to teaching in multigrade classes during their undergraduate education, that the teaching practice (internship) had to be done in a school with multigrade classes (%100), that the primary teacher candidates considered themselves inadequate in teaching multigrade classes (%93.33), and that they thought they would have problems if their first appointment was to a school with multigrade classes (96.66). Keywords: Multigrade Class, Primary Teacher Candidates, Evaluation