How engaged are pre-service teachers in the United States?

Using the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), findings are reported from the largest ever longitudinal study of engagement among pre-service teachers. Levels of engagement are investigated in 2013 (N = 1609) and 2016 (N = 1413) across 256 U.S. institutions. Using multilevel models, findings indicated that female, white pre-service teachers were less engaged than their male, minority counterparts with small to moderate effect sizes that differed by year. Institutional type, sector, and size were also significantly associated with pre-service teacher engagement. ACT prior achievement scores, however, were not associated with pre-service teacher engagement in either year. Implications for teacher preparation are discussed.