Comparison of sense of efficacy for pre-service and in-service teachers

Hacettepe University, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, 06800, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey

^* Corresponding author: schenolschen@gmail.com

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the sense of efficacy for pre-service and in-service teachers. The study was conducted with 64 preservice (32 chemistry and 32 mathematics) and 64 in-service teachers (32 chemistry and 32 mathematics). The short version of the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) was used as a data collection tool. The scale was consisted of 12-items divided into three sub-scales, named as Efficacy for instructional Strategies, Efficacy for Classroom Management, and Efficacy for Student Engagement. An independent-samples t-test was used to compare the sense of efficacy scores for pre-service and in-service teachers. According to independent samples t-test analysis, there was only a statistically significant difference in Efficacy for Classroom Management scores for pre-service (M = 25.64, SD = 5.4) and in-service teachers (M = 28.06, SD = 2.17; t (126) = -3.329, p =.001, two-tailed). However, there was no significant difference in Efficacy for Instructional Strategies and Efficacy for Student Engagement scores for pre-service and in-service teachers.