Turkish Version of the Principals’ Sense of Efficacy Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

Problem Statement: Principals are known as important actors in effective schools. So it is important to know which variables influence principals’ success. One of these predictors can be self-efficacy. However, there is very little research about principals' sense of efficacy.Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to test the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Principal Sense of Efficacy Scale (PSES-T).Method: Confirmatory and Exploratory factor analysis were conducted in order to determine the factor structure of the scale. Two independent samples of school administrators were used for this analysis. The relationship between social support and PSES-T were also examined in order to test the concurrent validity of the scale. Finally, internal consistency of scale was tested by using Cronbach alpha.Findings: Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed using maximum likelihood estimations, in order to assess the structural validity of the Turkish version of PSES. The model indices were χ2/df= 2,80, CFI=.873, TLI=.87, RMSEA= .100, SRMR=.064, suggesting an unacceptable fit of the model to the data. Concluding that 3 factor 18-item PSES did not fit the data obtained from a Turkish sample, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to further explore the factor structure of the 18-item PSES that better represented the sample data. EFA results showed strong evidence for a single factor structure of scale. Total variance explained by a single factor was 41% and factor loadings ranged from .50-.74 (M=.64). Based on the results of the EFA, the single factor model with 18 items was tested on a second sample by using CFA with the maximum likelihood method. Results indicated that single factor PSES met goodness-of-fit criteria; χ2/df= 1.6, CFI=.95, TLI= .94, RMSEA= .06, and SRMR=.04. As to the reliability results, Cronbach's Alpha was calculated as .94 for the whole scale. Also, low to moderate correlations were found between social support, and PSES was evidence for concurrent validity of scale.Conclusion and Recommendations: The overall findings of the present study provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the PSES with a Turkish sample. Validation and reliability studies of the PSES within different cultural contexts and samples are crucial for the generalizability of the scale. The current study is important in terms of bringing this scale into Turkish literature.Keywords: Principals’ sense of efficacy, self-efficacy, validity, reliability.

___

  • Allinder, R.M. (1995). An examination of the relationship between teacher efficacy and curriculum based measurement and student achievement. Remedial and Special Education, 16, 247-254. doi: 10.1177/074193259501600408
  • Altun, S., & Aykoç, B. (2009, May). Lise öğrencilerinin İngilizceye yönelik algı puanlarının cinsiyete, alanlara ve farklı düzeylere göre İngilizce başarısını yordama gücü [Prediction of high school students’ perceptions of English to their English proficiency with respect to gender and field]. Paper presented at the I. International Congress of Educational Research, Çanakkale, Turkey.
  • Anderson, D.W., Krajewski, H.T., Goffin, R.D., & Jackson, D.N. (2008). A leadership self-efficacy taxonomy and its relation to effective leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 19, 595-608.doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2008.07.003
  • Babaoğlan, E., & Korkut, K. (2010). The correlation between level of classroom teachers’ self- efficacy beliefs and classroom management ability perceptions. İnonu University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 11, 1-19.
  • Retrieved from https://pegem.net/dosyalar/dokuman/121556-2011062918401-11101.pdf Bandura, A. (1982). Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist, 37, 122-147.
  • Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundation of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
  • Bandura, A. (1993). Perceived self-efficacy in cognitive development and functioning. Educational Psychologist, 28, 117-148.doi:10.1207/s15326985ep2802_3
  • Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. In V.S. Ramachoudran (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Human Behavior. (Vol. 4, pp. 71-81). New York: Academic Press.
  • Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: the exercise of control. New York: Freeman. Bandura, A. (2012). On the functional properties of perceived self-efficacy revisited. Journal of Management, 38, 9-44. DOI: 10.1177/0149206311410606
  • Bower, G.H., & Hilgard, E.R. (1981).Theories of learning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
  • Brown, S. (2010). An exploration of the relationship between principal leadership efficacy, principal computer self-efficacy, and student achievement. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of North Texas.
  • Chemers, M. M., Watson, C. B., & May, S. T. (2000). Dispositional affect and leadership effectiveness: A comparison of self-esteem, optimism, and efficacy. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26, 267-277.doi: 10.1177/0146167200265001
  • Copraro, G.V., Barbaranelli, C., Steca, P., & Malone, P.S. (2006). Teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs as determinants of job satisfaction and student achievement: A study of the school level. Journal of School Psychology, 44, 473- 490.doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2006.09.001
  • Costa-Hernandez, D. (2010).Principal self-efficacy beliefs and student achievement. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. San Diego State University
  • Çokluk, Ö.,Şekercioğlu, G., & Büyüköztürk, S. (2010). Sosyal bilimler icin cok değişkenli istatistik: SPSS ve LISREL uygulamaları[Multi-dimensional statistic for social sciences: Applications of SPSS and LISREL]. Ankara: Pegem
  • Dede, Y. (2008). Matematik öğretmenlerinin öğretimlerine yönelik özyeterlik inançları [Teaching self-efficacy of maths teachers for their teaching performance]. Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 6, 741-757. Retrieved from http://www.tebd.gazi.edu.tr/index.php/tebd/article/download/179/165
  • Dimmock, C., & Hattie, J. (1996). School principals' self-efficacy and its measurement in a context of restructuring. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 7, 62- 75. doi:10.1080/0924345960070103
  • Federici, R. A., & Skaalvik, E. M. (2011). Principal self-efficacy and work engagement: Assessing a Norwegian principal self-efficacy scale. Soc Psychol Educ, 14, 575- 600. doi: 10.1007/s11218-011-9160-4
  • Gaddard, R. D., Hoy, W. K., & Hoy, A. W. (2000). Collective teacher self-efficacy: Its meaning, measure, and impact on student achievement. American Educational Research Journal, 37, 479-507.doi: 10.3102/00028312037002479
  • Gist, M. E., & Mitchell, T. R. (1992). Self-efficacy: A theoretical analysis of its determinants and malleability. The Academy of Management Review, 17, 183- 211.doi: 10.5465/AMR.1992.4279530
  • Hannah, S. T., Avolio, B. J., Luthans, F., & Harms, P.D. (2008). Leadership efficacy: Review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 19, 669- 692.doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2008.09.007
  • Hamurcu, H. (2006). Class teacher candidates’ self efficacy beliefs towards science education. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 24, 112-122.
  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modelling, 6, 1-55.doi:10.1080/10705519909540118
  • Işınsal, M. (2002). The effect of spreadsheet and dynamic geometry software on the mathematics achievement and mathematics self- efficacy of 7th grade students. Unpublished master dissertation. Middle East Technical University
  • Judge, T.A., Bono, J.E. (2001). Relationship of core self-evaluations traits- self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability- with job satisfaction and job performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 80-92. doi:10.1037//0021-9010.86.1.80
  • Kruger, L. J. (1997). Social support and self- efficacy in problem solving among teacher assistance teams and school staff. The Journal of Educational Research, 90, 164-168.doi:10.1080/00220671.1997.10543772
  • Külekçi, G. (2011). A study on pre-service English teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs depending on some variables. Journal of Educational Sciences, 3, 245-260. Retrieved from http://www.iojes.net/userfiles/Article/IOJES_394.pdf
  • Lehman, R. (2007). The relationship of elementary school principals’ perception of selfefficacy and student achievement. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. The University of Wisconsin.
  • Lockard, S. A. (2013).An analysis of the relationship between elementary principal selfefficacy and 5th grade reading achievement. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Maryland.
  • McCullers, J. F., & Bozeman, W. (2010). Principal self-efficacy: The effects of no child left behind and Florida school grades. NASSP Bulletin, 94, 53-74. doi: 10.1177/0192636510371976
  • Milner, H., & Hoy, A. (2003). A case study of an African American teacher’s selfefficacy, stereotype threat, and persistence. Teaching and Teacher Education, 19, 263-276. doi:10.1016/S0742-051X(02)00099-9
  • Moak, J. (2010). The self-perception of leadership efficacy of elementary principals and the effects on student achievement. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Missouri-Columbia.
  • Nye, G.D. (2008). Principals’ leadership beliefs: Are personal and environmental influences related to self-efficacy? Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of North Texas.
  • Orhan, F. (2005). Bilgisayar öğretmen adaylarının, bilgisayar kullanma özyeterlik inancı ile bilgisayar öğretmenligi özyeterlik inancı üzerine bir araştırma [An investigation on computer teacher candidates’ computer use self-efficacy and teaching computer self-efficacy]. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 21, 173-186. Retrieved from http://www.ejer.com.tr/0download/pdfler/tr/1406042041.pdf
  • Özdemir, A. (2010).İlköğretim okullarında algılanan örgütsel desteğin öğretmenlerin kişiler arası öz yeterlik inançları ile ilişkisinin incelenmesi [Relationship between perceived organizational support and teachers’ interpersonal selfefficacy among primary schools]. Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 30, 127-146.
  • Retrieved from http://www.gefad.gazi.edu.tr/window/dosyapdf/2010/1/2010-1-127-146-8 GEF%201004.pdf
  • Pajares, F. (1996). Self-efficacy beliefs in academic setting. Review of Educational Researh, 66, 543-578.doi: 10.3102/00346543066004543
  • Pati, S. P., & Kumar, P. (2010). Employee engagement: Role of self-efficacy, organizational support & supervisor support. The Indian Journal of Industrial Relations, 46, 126-136. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25741102
  • Ramchunder, Y., & Martins, N. (2014). The role of self-efficacy, emotional intelligence and leadership style as attributes of leadership effectiveness.SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 40,1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v40i1.1100
  • Rossow, L. F. (1990). The principalship: Dimensions in instructional leadership. Englewood Cliffs. NJ: Prentice Hall.
  • Santamaría, A. P. (2008). A principal’s sense of efficacy in an age of accountability. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. San Diego State University
  • Schreiber, J. B., Nora, A., Stage, F. K., Barlow, E. A., & King, J. (2006). Reporting structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis results: a review. The Journal of Educational Research, 99, 323- 337.doi:10.3200/JOER.99.6.323-338
  • Schunk, D. H. (1989).Self-efficacy and achievement behaviors. Educational Psychology Review, 1, 173-208.doi: 10.1007/BF01320134
  • Tschannen-Moran, M., & Barr, M. (2004). Fostering student learning: the relationship of collective teacher efficacy and student achievement. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 3, 189-209.doi: 10.1080/15700760490503706
  • Tschannen-Moran, M., & Gareis, C. R. (2004).Principals’ sense of efficacy. Assessing a promising construct. Journal of Educational Administration, 42, 573-585.doi: 10.1108/09578230410554070
  • Tschannen-Moran, M., & Gareis, C. R. (2007). Cultivating principals’ self-efficacy: Supports that matter. Journal of School Leadership, 17, 89-114. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ807374
  • Tschannen-Moran, M., Woolfolk Hoy, A., & Hoy, W. K. (1998). Teacher efficacy: Its meaning and measure. Review of Educational Research, 68, 202-248. Retrieved from http://mxtsch.people.wm.edu/Scholarship/RER_TeacherEfficacy.pdf
  • Versland, T. M. (2009).Self-efficacy development of aspiring principals in education leadership preparation programs. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Montana State University
  • Watts, L., Kolsun, C., Cline, V., & Williams, L. (2011, September 27). Principals’ sense of efficacy and cultural factors in rural West Virginia schools. Retrieved from the Connexions Web site: http://cnx.org/content/m41135/1.3/
  • Williams, J. C. (2012). Examining the relationship between Louisiana principals' selfefficacy beliefs and student achievement. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of New Orleans.
  • Wood, R. E., & Bandura, A. (1989). Impact of conceptions of ability on selfregulatory mechanisms and complex decision making. Journal of Personality and Social Pyschology, 56, 407-415. Retrieved from http://web.stanford.edu/dept/psychology/bandura/pajares/Bandura1989J PSP.pdf
  • Yalçın, F. A. (2011).Investigation of science teacher candidates’ self-efficacy beliefs of sciences teaching with respect to some variables. International Journal of Educational Sciences, 3, 1046-1063. Retrieved from http://asosindex.com/journal-article-fulltext?id=29583&part=1