Assessing Mathematics and Science Self-Efficacy Beliefs for Teaching

Abstract

The study used a questionnaire survey to collect quantitative data from respondents. The independent variables of interest were level of math and science self-efficacy beliefs, as well as self-efficacy for teaching math and science. The questionnaire survey was voluntarily completed by 60 teachers, comprising 45 male and 15 female. The respondents ranged in age from 19 to 38 years. The findings of the study revealed that the mathematics and science teachers at the basic school had high level of self-efficacy beliefs. The study further discovered that though not strong, there is a positive relationship between math and science teachers’ self-efficacy and their ability to teach math and science. The findings also found that math and science teachers’ scores on the MSSEB scale for mathematics and science self-efficacy beliefs were generally higher than their scores on the SETMS scale for self-efficacy for teaching mathematics and science. The ability to effectively explain math /science concepts to students received the lowest mean rating in comparison to others. Teachers' self-efficacy beliefs and self-efficacy can be important considerations for teacher professional development training as a powerful intervening factor for teacher effectiveness and student performance outcomes.