Cultural Competence and Teacher Efficacy in Novice/Career Teachers: Examining Injustice Through Variations in Beliefs

• In Event: 52.059 - Cognition and Assessment in Practice

Abstract

Injustice happens at every level of social organizations. Within the classroom, injustice may begin with student-teacher relationships. These relationship behaviors, classroom management and instructional practices all manifest from teacher efficacy beliefs. Teacher efficacy has been identified as the most predictive variable associated with student achievement. Since efficacy is context-specific, student characteristics impact these beliefs. Dispositions regarding race, ethnicity, and SES are encompassed in one’s cultural competence. Given that teacher efficacy is affected by beliefs about student characteristics, and those beliefs explain some cultural competence, this study will examine the nature of the variations in the relationships between teacher efficacy and cultural competence. Findings point to possible interventions that may improve cultural competence and teacher efficacy through professional development programs.

Author

• Ranjini Mahinda JohnBull, Johns Hopkins University