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Article
Publication date: 1 December 1996

John Leo Doyle

Reports that the introduction of the local management of schools (LMS) was one of the main features of the Education Reform Act (1988). Considers the effects of LMS on four London…

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Abstract

Reports that the introduction of the local management of schools (LMS) was one of the main features of the Education Reform Act (1988). Considers the effects of LMS on four London schools in contrasting socio‐economic areas, in order to evaluate the impact of of LMS on the ethos of the four schools and its effects on staff attitude, thus enabling an examination of the success of LMS as an agent of change.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 10 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2019

Amy Dympna Nolan and Elizabeth Fraser Selkirk Hannah

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of training on educational staff attitudes, sentiments, concerns and efficacy in providing support for children with Autism in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of training on educational staff attitudes, sentiments, concerns and efficacy in providing support for children with Autism in mainstream settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation adopted a pre-test/post-test, quasi-experimental, within-subject research design. In total, 35 early years educators, teachers and pupil support assistants from one Scottish Local Authority (LA) undertook training delivered by the LA’s Communication and Language Outreach Service. Measures included the Sentiments, Attitudes, and Concerns about Inclusive Education Revised (SACIE-R) scale and the teacher efficacy for inclusive practices (TEIP) scale pre and post-training. Post-training participants completed a questionnaire employing open and closed questions to assess perceived usefulness of training, application of knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching strategies.

Findings

Combining data from the three sectors there was a significant change in staff efficacy for inclusive practices (z=−3.406, p=0.001, p<0.05, with a medium effect size r=0.41) although there were differences between the sectors. There was a significant change in SACIE-R total scores (z=−3.945, p=0.000, p<0.05; with a medium effect size r=0.47), sentiments (z=−2.763, p=0.006, p<0.05; with a medium effect size r=0.33) and concerns (z=−3.685, p=0.000, p<0.05; with a medium effect size of r=0.44) subscale scores for the combined sector data. There was no significant change in the attitudes subscale scores for the combined sector data (z=−1.106, p=2.69, p>0.05; with a small effect size r=0.13) although there were differences between the sectors.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include: small sample size, minor differences in the training in different sectors, purposeful sampling, use of questionnaire post-training, variability of completion of SCAIE-R and TEIP post-training.

Originality/value

There appears to be limited research into inclusive practices for children with Autism in the UK context, which this study aims to address.

Details

Advances in Autism, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-3868

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1963

R.J. GILLAM

In a study of staff motivation and morale a sample of high school teachers in an administrative area of the New South Wales centralized system was asked to complete a…

Abstract

In a study of staff motivation and morale a sample of high school teachers in an administrative area of the New South Wales centralized system was asked to complete a questionnaire on their reactions to a number of factors influencing their attitudes to teaching. One question referred to salary satisfaction, another to non‐material factors affecting work attitudes. A strong service drive was reflected in the respondents' replies. The majority of teachers, especially males, felt that their salaries were not a true reflection of the value of their work, but that they would not work harder if their salaries were increased. The factors which influenced the respondents' attitudes most favourably were pride in achievement of ex‐pupils, stable school routine, appreciation from parents and an assurance that their work was regarded as being as important as every other teacher's. Examination of the data suggests that high morale in teaching is chiefly dependent upon the fulfilment of altruistic rather than material needs.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Article
Publication date: 20 February 2009

M.E. Honingh and F.J. Oort

The purpose of this paper is to compare teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly‐ and privately‐funded schools in the Dutch Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly‐ and privately‐funded schools in the Dutch Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A percentage of all middle managers in publicly and privately funded schools (72 per cent and 43 per cent respectively) distributed self‐report questionnaires to their teachers measuring teachers' attitudes, sense of identification and perception of the school climate. The sample consisted of 705 teachers in publicly funded schools and 25 teachers in privately funded schools. Data were analysed through multilevel analysis accounting for the dependency of teachers working within the same teaching unit.

Findings

The analyses show that teachers in publicly funded schools report a less curriculum‐oriented attitude, a lower sense of identification, and perceive a less supportive school climate than teachers in privately funded schools. Funding did not have an effect on the extent to which teachers have a student‐oriented attitude. In addition, the analyses show significant effects of teacher characteristics, the disciplinary sector, and affiliation characteristics on teachers' organisational behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The paper clearly indicates differences in teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly and privately funded schools. Contrary to common beliefs, the institutional context hardly influences the extent to which teachers have a student‐oriented attitude.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to insights in behavioural aspects of the fading boundary between the public and private sector.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2021

Rahul Bodhi, Tripti Singh, Yatish Joshi and Deepak Sangroya

The current study examines the impact of various psychological factors, university environment and sustainable behaviour on teachers' intention to incorporate inclusive education…

Abstract

Purpose

The current study examines the impact of various psychological factors, university environment and sustainable behaviour on teachers' intention to incorporate inclusive education in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 204 academicians and scholars from India. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to examine data.

Findings

Results revealed that teachers' attitudes, university environment and spirituality had a positive and significant association with intention to incorporate inclusive education. Path analysis showed that teachers' attitude was the most prominent predictor of intention to incorporate inclusive education, followed by spirituality and university environment.

Practical implications

The study determines the key predictors of teachers' intention to incorporate inclusive education. The identified factors can help the government and public policymakers foster inclusive education. The study determines that teachers have the capability to drive inclusive education through intrinsic spiritual views and feelings of satisfaction and happiness. Marketers must capitalize on the spiritual aspect of individuals and accordingly develop long-term inclusive strategies.

Originality/value

The current study addresses prevailing gaps in existing literature on teachers' attitude and intention to adopt inclusive education. The study examines the impact of key predictors of teachers' intention to adopt inclusive education and focuses on emerging factors such as university environment, spirituality, teachers' self-efficacy, concern and sustainable behaviour.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 November 2020

Arnab Kundu, Tripti Bej and Kedar Nath Dey

This study aims to investigate Indian mainstream secondary school teachers’ awareness and attitude toward assistive technology (AT) and its implementation level in an inclusive…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate Indian mainstream secondary school teachers’ awareness and attitude toward assistive technology (AT) and its implementation level in an inclusive setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed a descriptive survey method within the cross-sectional research design, and the selected approach consisted of a mixture of quantitative (e.g. questionnaire surveys) and qualitative (e.g. interviews) methods. A survey was distributed among 150 teachers from 15 secondary schools following the stratified random sampling technique. Collected data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.

Findings

Findings revealed that teachers’ awareness of AT was not up to the satisfactory level yet they showed an overall positive attitude toward it. Regarding teachers’ knowledge, professional support or institutional support, almost everywhere the inadequacy was obvious. These schools were running with a poor resource pool of assistive products along with a squat implementation level. Hence special needs students did not get required supports from schools as they deserved which had been hampering the overall inclusive atmosphere. Lack of suitable policies, adequate awareness and financial limitations were evolved as major barriers in the implementation of AT in these schools. Further, statistical analysis revealed a surprising output that male teachers showed slightly higher awareness level regarding AT than their female counterparts but in respect of attitude they were found overpowered by the females. Teachers of urban schools also exhibited slightly better awareness and attitude toward AT than those of rural schools.

Research limitations/implications

The study has a high research value for not only having a scarcity of past studies on this topic but also in developing the inclusive education concept in India by enhancing the use of AT for making the process effective and efficient so far as the academic achievements of students with special needs is concerned. The survey can also serve as a source for academic planners in the country by getting information on the current state of resources, both human and material, and thus by making suitable measures for optimum use of available resources.

Practical implications

The write up of this paper was very difficult, as there were almost no previous studies done on this topic in the past in India, and we had to face an acute shortage of related literature. So, this study would prove to be a good addition in this respect for future researchers.

Originality/value

This is the reporting of an original research conducted in India. To do this study, the authors conducted intensive surveys, interviews and observations. The write up of the findings focuses mainly on the survey and interview data. This type of the study is exclusive in the Indian context and can help Indian policymakers and many other similar developing countries on the globe.

Details

Journal of Enabling Technologies, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6263

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2012

Audrey C. Rule, Sarah E. Montgomery, Denise A. Tallakson, Mary K. Stichter, Allison Barness and Katie M. Decker

This study of 65 elementary school teacher candidates enrolled in social studies methods classes examined attitudes toward currently contentious curriculum issues before and after…

Abstract

This study of 65 elementary school teacher candidates enrolled in social studies methods classes examined attitudes toward currently contentious curriculum issues before and after participation in a practicum experience teaching an arts-integrated unit on Africa. These curriculum issues included arts-integrated project-based learning versus narrower skill-based lessons; the importance of creativity, leadership, organizational, and affective skills; and student-centered versus teacher-centered instruction. Attitudes were measured by teacher candidates placing themselves on each of ten continuums between endpoints representing opposing curriculum approaches and responding to open-ended questions. Statistically significant pre-post differences with medium effect sizes occurred on three of the continuums indicating that teacher candidates now placed greater value on arts-integrated curricula to teach social studies content; recognized that choice motivates students; and expressed more enjoyment of planning complex, long-term, student-centered projects. They recognized deep conceptual learning and engagement of elementary school students during the student-centered arts-integrated lessons but noted that the time and effort of complex project work were barriers to implementation. Social studies methods teachers need to involve teacher candidates in field experiences that offer authentic arts- integrated student-centered project work to allow them to adopt curriculum stances not experienced as elementary school students.

Details

Social Studies Research and Practice, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1933-5415

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

Julia Teresa Atiles, Jonathan Robert Douglas and Martha Allexsaht-Snider

The purpose of this study was to explore early childhood teachers’ sense of efficacy for working with immigrant children. In addition, this study examined the relationship of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore early childhood teachers’ sense of efficacy for working with immigrant children. In addition, this study examined the relationship of early childhood teachers’ sense of efficacy to their multicultural attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

Ninety early childhood teacher participants completed a demographic questionnaire, as well as the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale, long form (Tschannen-Moran and Woolfolk Hoy, 2001) and Teacher Multicultural Attitude Survey (Ponterotito et al., 1998).

Findings

The statistical analysis resulted in a significant difference found between teachers’ sense of efficacy when working with Latinos versus when working with Marshallese students, t(82) = 4.64, p < 0.001, and that the teachers’ sense of efficacy was positively correlated with their multicultural attitudes score, r = 0.266, p = 0.013.

Research limitations/implications

The finding that early childhood teachers have differing levels of efficacy for working with different populations of immigrants, and that efficacy seems to be linked to multicultural attitudes, has implications for teacher educators and for professional development initiatives.

Practical implications

This appears to be an important starting point for professional learning efforts directed at teachers with lower levels of efficacy for working with their diverse students.

Originality/value

There was no prior research done focusing on different immigrant populations and the corresponding teachers’ sense of efficacy when working with them. The results shown support the idea that teachers’ multicultural attitudes appear to be significantly linked to their sense of efficacy, when working with immigrant students, especially within the area of student engagement.

Details

Journal for Multicultural Education, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-535X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

Katri Hämeen‐Anttila, Marja Airaksinen, Johanna Timonen, Patricia Bush and Riitta Ahonen

The aim of this study is to investigate teachers' attitudes towards medicines and to determine what they are willing to teach children about medicines. This study is part of a…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate teachers' attitudes towards medicines and to determine what they are willing to teach children about medicines. This study is part of a larger project where medicine education materials accessible on the internet (www.uku.fi/laakekasvatus, in Finnish with English introduction) were designed, developed, and evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from a convenience sample of primary (n=11) and junior secondary (n=3) schoolteachers who attended three focus group discussions (FGDs). Before the FGDs, the teachers had taught three medicine education sessions based on medicine education curriculum materials to their own classes.

Findings

Three different types of teachers were found: empowering (n=6), paternalistic (n=6), and material evaluating (n=2). An empowering teacher was ready to facilitate the empowerment of children as medicine users. A paternalistic teacher wanted to teach children the dangers of medicines and also the importance of a healthful lifestyle. The material evaluating type of teacher commented mainly on the usefulness of the medicine education materials without expressing any attitude towards medicines.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the small number of teachers participating in this study, it may be regarded as a pilot study that generated a hypothesis. Results need to be verified with a larger sample of teachers and with quantitative research methods before generalizations can be made.

Originality/value

This study suggests a need to educate teachers about what medicine education is and how it could be taught with an empowering approach.

Details

Health Education, vol. 106 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1967

THOMAS SERGIOVANNI

Present thought and action relating to satisfaction and motivation of teachers appear to he based on the assumption that job factors which satisfy teachers and job factors which…

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Abstract

Present thought and action relating to satisfaction and motivation of teachers appear to he based on the assumption that job factors which satisfy teachers and job factors which dissatisfy teachers are arranged on a conceptual continuum. This paper tests an alternate assumption which was proposed by Frederick Herzbcrg and his associates. Herzberg suggests that job factors which satisfy workers and job factors which dissatisfy workers are not arranged on a conceptual continuum but are mutually exclusive. The findings of the study reported here revealed that some factors, reported by teachers as contributing to their job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction, were polar in a positive direction and other factors were polar in a negative direction. Achievement, recognition and responsibility were factors which contributed predominantly to teacher job satisfaction. Interpersonal relations (students), interpersonal relations (peers), “supervision technical”, school policy and administration, unfairness, status and personal life were factors which contributed predominantly to teacher dissatisfaction. Further, the satisfaction factors identified for teachers tend to focus on the work itself and the dissatisfaction factors tend to focus on the conditions of work. The results of this study tend to support the universality of Herzberg's findings.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

21 – 30 of over 31000