Book Description

ABSTRACT: An explanatory mixed methods design was used to investigate pre-service physical education attitudes towards teaching students with disabilities. The purpose of the quantitative portion of the study was to examine whether there was a difference in self-efficacy of pre-service teachers enrolled in an adapted physical education (APE) course with embedded fieldwork, teaching students with disabilities (Group 1; N = 19) versus pre-service teachers enrolled in a prerequisite course with fieldwork that does not include working with students with disabilities (Group 2; N = 25). Data was collected using the 33-question, Situational-Specific Self-Efficacy and Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Physical Education (SE-PETE-D), Version 3.3 survey. Three separate two-way ANOVAs, one for each type of disability (ID, PD, VD), were conducted, where timing (pre, post) is a within-subjects factor and course (Group 1: APE course, Group 2: prerequisite course) was a between subjects factor. There was a significant main effect of timing between the pre and post survey for both groups, on all sections of the test. The results exhibited no significant interaction or main effect of the between-subjects factor (group) on increasing self efficacy. The researcher then conducted one-on-one semi structured interviews with purposeful selection of participants. The purpose of this qualitative portion was to investigate the following research question: what are pre-service physical education teacher’s self-efficacy towards teaching in an inclusion class? With the use of the data collected through a survey and interviews, this present study will provide professors with a better understanding of the readiness of pre-service teachers to teach in an inclusion class. Participants included three pre-service teachers, who were all currently enrolled in an APE course (Group 1). Open, axial, and selective coding was used to analyze data. Key themes included self concept, room for growth, and resources. Trustworthiness of the themes was established through the use of peer debriefing and member checking. The results acquired through the quantitative portion of the study provided future implications for increasing pre-service teachers self-efficacy when they enter into fieldwork. The results for the qualitative interviews conducted led to future implications for providing pre-service teachers the proper content and experience needed to gain self-efficacy in working with students with disabilities.