A study examined how self-efficacy, causal attribution, and outcome expectancy beliefs are related to reading and writing for ethnically diverse college freshmen and whether the patterns of belief-performance relationships for ethnically diverse students are similar to those found for white, middle class populations. Subjects in the ethnic sample…

This paper describes an experiment that investigated the effects of goals and self-evaluation on self-regulation processes and achievement outcomes of (n=44) fourth grade students who received instruction and practice on fraction operations. Half of the students were provided with the goal of learning how to solve problems (learning goal) and the…

Using the metaphor of the "Wizard of Oz," this paper satirizes the use of an unofficially identified and often highly paid group of educational consultants to reform and revitalize special needs career/vocational education. It begins with the premise that leaders in the educational system believe that they can somehow install three…

The structure of a concept generally labeled "teacher efficacy" is examined. A sample of 342 prospective and experienced teachers was administered an efficacy questionnaire adapted from the research of S. Gibson and M. H. Dembo (1984). Factor analytic procedures with varimax rotation were used to generate a 2-factor solution that accounted for 32…

This paper addresses the issue of career unhappiness among academic professionals and ways academics cope with this problem. Various signs and symptoms of career blockage are discussed such as dissonance and disillusionment in the job, the non-realization of gender-specific expectations, and the feeling of career plateauing. Four stages of the…

This study was conducted in the Connecticut public schools during the l989-90 school year to determine why it is so difficult for urban school districts to recruit and retain teachers. The specific purpose was to identify policy-manipulable variables that predict changes in self-efficacy beliefs within first-year teachers in urban schools. This…

The International Task Force on Literacy, a coalition of non-governmental organizations, calls on other non-governmental organizations, governments, and heads of state to join its commitment to literacy and related principles. An introductory section links mass illiteracy to poverty, structural injustice, and economic marginalization, and focuses…

Dropping out of school may be laden with devastating personal and societal consequences. Actual and potential high school dropouts often face many problems in their lives, other than academic dissatisfaction. Low self-esteem may frequently be the source and result of these difficulties. This project, therefore, was intended to develop a manual for…

This research explored the effects of a number of factors derived from extant intention-behavior models on a general behavioral intention to engage in protection against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and a specific behavioral intention to use condoms as protection in vaginal sex. Data pertaining to beliefs, knowledge about AIDS, fear…

This article addresses the role of perceived self-efficacy during self-regulated learning--learning that occurs from students' self-generated behaviors systematically oriented toward the attainment of learning goals. Self-efficacy refers to personal beliefs about one's capabilities to behave in ways necessary to attain desired performances. A…

The purpose of this study was to examine the roles self-efficacy, specifically technology self-efficacy and distance education self-efficacy, and self-regulation play in students' learning via distance education. This study examines a system for evaluating distance education courses in a similar manner to those for traditional university courses.…

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the implications of self efficacy beliefs on the career planning process among emerging adults in the 17-20 age bracket who have had limited life experiences. An objective for the coursework in personal and career exploration was to expose students, new to the college experience, to methods for…

The purpose of this research was to describe how self-efficacy affects the development and science achievement of practicing teachers after their participation in a half day long hands-on science lesson provided by the Science on Wheels project. The 42 practicing K-8 teachers were from eight different counties located in a rural mid-eastern state.…

This study compared the efficacy beliefs of Taiwanese preservice teachers at the beginning of early childhood teacher preparation with those of preservice teachers near the end of preservice preparation. The 298 predominantly female participants were from 4 teacher colleges and a polytechnic institute. Participants completed a slightly revised…

This study examined Georgia middle school teachers' perceptions of their work environment, their perceived efficacy, and organizational commitment. The study included 400 full-time, certified teachers from 40 rural and metropolitan middle schools. Teachers completed a mailed survey that asked about demographics, organizational commitment,…