Dutch researchers used the Teachers' and Principals' Sense of Efficacy scale to examine the context dependency of elementary teachers' and principals' sense of efficacy. Results advance self-efficacy as an important factor in explaining the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions. (SM)

Science education in the Australian primary school curriculum is a relatively rare event. Several studies over the past twenty five years have all reported disappointingly low amounts of science being taught and the reluctance of primary school teachers to make science a priority in their teaching. Similar outcomes have been reported for…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an earth systems science course (integrated mathematics and science content) on preservice elementary teachers' mathematics and science teaching efficacy. Paired t-tests revealed that the personal mathematics and science teaching efficacy and science teaching outcome expectancy significantly…

There has been much debate in recent years as to the amount and type of mathematical knowledge that teachers need to acquire. One set of recommendations is provided by the Mathematical Education of Teachers (MET) report, produced jointly by the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America. This paper reports on efforts…

Teacher empowerment is a cornerstone of educational reform efforts. This study measured dimensions of teacher empowerment with a census of the 3,677 teachers in 169 Ohio public elementary schools initiating self-designed state-funded restructuring. Mailed surveys examined six dimensions of teacher empowerment (decision-making, professional growth,…

Teachers' concerns and efficacy beliefs (EB) are important for the success of any reform. Previous research has shown that teachers? concerns develop in three levels: self, task and impact, respectively. Thus, this study examines the concerns and EB of primary teachers with respect to a reform concerning the use of Schema Theory in teaching…

To examine the utility of the "Systematic Self-Reflection" (SSR) process, a study investigated the effects of three levels of self-reflection--systematic, focused, and random--on problem solving and efficacy in 62 elementary school teachers. The study examined the application of four components of a problem-solving model (problem…

This paper presents the results of a study that both quantitatively and qualitatively studied the relationship between the duration of a science education practicum and elementary education majors' self-efficacy beliefs related to science teaching. Subjects included 64 preservice elementary education majors. A notable qualitative difference was…

Describes a study that conducted interviews and site visits with 22 teachers to identify work situations that trigger engagement in informal learning and personal characteristics that enhance motivation. Considers new teaching tasks; new leadership roles; adherence to policies and procedures; teachers' initiative; self-efficacy; commitment to…

Explored the opportunities presented by network-based communication to facilitate collaborative critical reflection between elementary and middle school teachers who were working on a curriculum development project. Considers self-efficacy and discusses results that showed that collaboratively produced network-based communication was significantly…

Research investigating science teaching efficacy was conducted in 1 Australian university. A sample of 314 elementary preservice teachers responded to the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (STEBI; L. G. Enochs & I. M. Riggs, 1990), which assesses 2 teaching efficacy dimensions: Personal Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs (PSTEB) and…

This study examined whether there was a relationship between preservice elementary teachers' competency in science process skills and attitudes toward the field of science. Study data came from 46 students enrolled in an elementary math and science methods course during their first senior semester, just before entering student teaching. Study…

The purpose of this study was to determine if the teachers trained in the site based preparation program that had obtained significant gains in self-efficacy were still expressing self-efficacy in science teaching after being in their own classrooms for one year. The 31 returned STEBI (science teaching efficacy belief instrument) surveys were…

Examines the relationship between elementary school teachers' perceptions of control and the effects on behavior problems. Reports that teachers saw family and student-related factors as causes for problem behavior while rejecting school related factors. States that teachers felt in control in three specific areas: personal efficacy, interpersonal…

The relationship between social support and self-efficacy was investigated in teacher assistance team members and participating school staff members at 27 elementary schools. Social support factors examined were guidance, reliable alliance, and reassurance of worth. Findings showed reassurance of worth was strongly related to self-efficacy in…