The Impact of Professional Development Grounded in Social Learning on Community College Faculty Efficacy

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of professional development modeled upon social learning theory on community college teacher efficacy. A pre-experimental, one-group pre- and post-test research design using the Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale was used to measure the effectiveness of a faculty development treatment on teacher efficacy beliefs in the constructs of classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies. This method enabled a comparison of efficacy levels prior to and after participation in faculty professional development to determine any potential influence. Data were analyzed by employing dependent and independent sample t-tests to determine differences in teacher efficacy mean scores over time. Findings indicated no significant differences in pre- and post-test scores for overall teacher efficacy and efficacy in the constructs of classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies. However, there was a significant difference in overall teacher efficacy scores after participating in the faculty development treatment between new and experienced faculty. From these findings, three themes were drawn that provide specific recommendations for community college faculty development program design.