Teacher self-efficacy and inclusive education practices: Rethinking teachers' engagement with inclusive practices. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woodcock, Stuart; Sharma, Umesh; Subban, Pearl; Hitches, Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: Teaching and teacher education. Volume 117(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Inclusive education -- Teacher self-efficacy -- Inclusive practice -- Primary teachers; Teaching -- Periodicals; Teachers -- Training of -- Periodicals; Enseignement -- Périodiques; Enseignants -- Formation -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 371.10205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2022.103802
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-051X

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examined the relationship between 41 primary teachers' self-efficacy and inclusive education practices across New South Wales, Australia. Thematic analysis was employed to examine and probe the qualitative data. Findings reveal that while teachers with high and low efficacy had similar conceptual understanding about inclusive education, their teaching practices differed. Informing teachers about what inclusive education is may only have limited impact on teachers' actual inclusive education practices. More support in how teachers can apply the concept of inclusive education to practice may be needed so that their beliefs in their capabilities to teach inclusively are fostered and bolstered. Highlights: Low and high efficacy teachers held similar philosophical understanding about inclusive education. High efficacy teachers' practices focus on student success, accessibility and building confidence. Low efficacy teachers' practices focus on behaviour management, regularly viewing the differences among students.