Resource Teachers: What Do They Actually Do?

What tasks do resource teachers undertake? How much of their time do they spend on each of these tasks? What are the formally stated expectations and requirements of them and how do these compare with the reality of their time allocation? This study gathers and analyses data related to these questions in an attempt to answer them. Resource teachers and classroom teachers were asked to complete questionnaires. Resource teachers were observed at work and their job descriptions were examined. The results reveal that there are differences among the actual, perceived, and expected time allocations of resource teachers. These findings have been compared using a series of graphs to facilitate analysis. Important issues are raised as a consequence.