ERIC Number: ED643965
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 271
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8027-1485-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Teacher Self-Efficacy: Including Students with Emotional Behavior Disability in Mainstream Elementary Classrooms
Cynthia Lynn Ambrose-Spano
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, The University of West Florida
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) requires all students, including those with disabilities, to be served in the least restrictive environment (LRE) or mainstream classroom. However, a gap exists between the LRE requirement and the practice of including students with disabilities, especially those with emotional behavior disability (EBD). Students with EBD are primarily served in the self-contained setting because of aggressive behaviors, resulting in low academic growth and high dropout rates. To increase the success of students with EBD in the mainstream, teachers must feel confident and equipped to meet the challenges. Teachers lack the self-efficacy to overcome the challenges of including students with EBD in the mainstream. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the self-efficacy experiences of ten select elementary school teachers who teach students with EBD in the general education inclusive classroom in a Southeastern United States school district. This study used Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory and self-efficacy construct as the framework for exploring the phenomenon of teacher perceived self-efficacy. Data collection methods included the use of interviews and observations. The findings support Bandura's theory and the relationship between increased self-efficacy and success in overcoming challenges. Increasing teacher self-efficacy can increase the success of including students with EBD in the mainstream. Participants confirmed that personal mastery experiences are the primary source of increasing self-efficacy, whereas vicarious experiences and social persuasion are limited and less impactful. Future research should explore obstacles to vicarious experience opportunities and effective social persuasion in the school setting. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, Educational Environment, Mainstreaming, Equal Education, Achievement Gap, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Disability Discrimination, Behavior Disorders, Emotional Disturbances, Barriers, Elementary School Teachers, Regular and Special Education Relationship, Inclusion, Self Efficacy
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
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Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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