A Measure of Teachers’ Achievement Goals

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to investigate the construct validity of a measure of teachers’ achievement goals. The first study involved 143 teachers. Factor analysis of responses to the measure revealed three factors assessing mastery, performance approach, and performance avoidance goals. In the second study, a nationally representative sample of 430 Greek teachers completed the goals instrument and a measure of job satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis established the three‐factor structure of the goals measure. All scales had acceptable reliabilities. Job satisfaction was positively related to mastery goals, unrelated to performance approach goals, and negatively related to performance avoidance goals. Teachers of mathematics had lower scores on the performance avoidance scales than other teachers. These findings provide initial support for the construct validity of the teachers’ achievement goals measure.

Notes

1. The higher percentage of responses from physical education and foreign language teachers is due to the fact that the distribution of the questionnaires was facilitated by a Greek professional association of physical education teachers and foreign language teachers.