This brief defines school capacity as the presence of characteristics needed to support the development of a thriving learning community. The literature on school improvement suggests that a school's capacity for improvement can be supported by coherent structures, constructive teacher and leadership practices, and positive staff perceptions of…

In current study we interviewed 21 mathematics teachers who aspired to reform-based mathematics instruction. It was our hope to establish whether there were common traits among this teacher population, which could have influenced their supportive disposition towards innovative instruction. The participants shared several characteristics. (1) They…

Teacher efficacy has been identified as a variable that can influence teacher effectiveness. The results of methods designed to change teacher efficacy, however, have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible impact on teacher efficacy of the FOCUS (1992) instructional method, which is designed to create an environment in…

This pilot study examined the career self-efficacy of 75 college students (40 with disabilities and 35 without disabilities) using the Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (CDMSE-SF) and semi-structured interviews. Career self-efficacy was defined as the belief that an individual can accomplish his/her career goals. Results…

This study examined the personality types of emergency certification teachers as predictors of classroom management and self-efficacy beliefs. Participants were 120 teachers pursuing teacher certification through an emergency permit teacher education program at a mid-sized Texas university. They all held at least a Bachelor's degree, were in their…

This study examined the degree to which adolescent self-system processes (self-efficacy, emotional reactivity) and reports of mothers' and fathers' behavior (warmth/support, hostility) predict adolescents' behavior toward siblings and their friends' problem behavior. Subjects were 76 seventh-grade adolescents who provided self-reports of parent…

This paper attempted to determine whether increasing technology, specifically a computer-based instructional approach, into the curriculum increases student learning, focusing on effects on student attitudes and self-efficacy. Participants were 47 fifth graders in a private school. One group received computer-based instruction in English grammar,…

The causal structure between academic achievement and cognitive, psychological, and facilitative variables during the freshman year in college was studied. Data from 455 freshmen were used in the analysis. Participants completed measures of student goals, facilitative skills, and learning and thinking styles. Pre-college and freshman achievement…

The paper reports the results of a study conducted in one Sydney (Australia) comprehensive high school. Sixty-seven Year 12 and 62 Year 11 students completed a questionnaire package measuring stress responses, goals, and academic self-efficacy. Findings show that 31% of the Year 12 and 25% of the Year 11 students reported symptoms of anxiety,…

This study involves developing a motivational model of college achievement. The predictor variables, which were procrastination tendency, self-efficacy, self-regulation, intrinsic value, outcome value, cognitive strategy, test anxiety, students grade goals, parent grade goals, and grade point average, as well as the criterion variable exam…

This is the fifth in a series of five horse project activity guides for youth. Levels 1-3 focus on "horse-less" activities, while Levels 4 and 5 zero in on riding and horsemanship. Each guide has an achievement program to encourage youth to learn and develop life skills. The assistance of a horse project helper in completing the achievement…

Briefly reviews Albert Bandura's Self-Efficacy Performance Model (ability to perform a task is influenced by an individual's belief in their capability). Tests this model with a sample of 776 university employees and computer-related knowledge and skills. Results supported Bandura's thesis. Includes statistical tables and a discussion of related…

Identifies hindsight bias as the tendency to exaggerate one's ability to have foreseen the outcome of an event after learning the outcome. Describes a class project where students predicted the verdict of the O. J. Simpson trial one week before the verdict and hypothesized a jury response a month later. (MJP)

Examined relationships among young adolescents' motivational processes, use of learning strategies with expository text, and classroom achievement. Found that performance and mastery orientation predicted use of cognitive learning strategies. Adolescents' intrinsic value, but not self-efficacy, predicted use of cognitive and self-regulating…

Used individual case studies as well as cross-case analysis of five middle-level teachers to uncover their personal practical knowledge and their perceptions of how this knowledge influences their decision making, classroom environment, and interpersonal relationships. Found such overarching themes as role clarity, professional commitment,…