Book Description

This qualitative study examined middle school teachers' perceptions of (a) factors of school climate, (b) teacher efficacy in the workplace, and (c) school climate's effects on teacher efficacy. Participants in the study included 151 teachers from four middle schools, grade six through eight, located within the same school district in south central Pennsylvania. Qualitative data were gathered from 151 teachers who completed two survey instruments and three open-ended questions. Individual interviews were conducted with 20 teachers and observations were conducted at each study site. Findings of the data showed that three factors of school climate were consistently evident throughout the various data collection methods: (a) Academic Emphasis, (b) Teacher Affiliation, and (c) Collegial Leadership. Participants perceived the four middle schools to be orderly and serious, and teacher relationships were determined to be positive and supportive. The relationship between the principal and teachers was also perceived as friendly and helpful. Participants reported that an adequate supply of resources and materials were available for classroom use. The relationship between the principal and the superintendent was perceived as cordial. However, mixed perceptions were reported about the ability of the principals to secure resources and support for their individual schools. The survey data revealed that teachers perceived students to be (a) unmotivated to ask for help, (b) disinterested in completing assignments, and (c) disrespectful of those who succeed academically. Teacher efficacy was perceived to be high in regard to (a) student engagement, (b) instructional strategies, and (c) classroom management. The majority of the participants perceived the climate of their school to have an impact on their teaching efficacy and cited such factors as (a) an orderly environment, (b) academic focus, (c) students, (d) teacher relationships, (e) principal relations with teachers, (f) home influences, (g) instructional strategies, and (h) teacher motivation.