Efficacy beliefs, background variables, and differentiated instruction of Israeli prospective teachers

in this study, the authors examined efficacy beliefs and choices of differentiated instructional strategies needed for effective teaching in inclusive classrooms. Participants included 191 Israeli prospective teachers. They responded to a modified form of the Teacher Efficacy Scale (Gibson & Dembo, 1984) and a 59-item instructional strategies scale. Findings revealed that the Personal Teaching Efficacy factor (PTE) was related to choices of instruction, but the Teaching Efficacy factor (TE) was not. Prospective teachers focusing on junior high education obtained the highest PTE scores compared with those focusing on early childhood and elementary education, and participants focusing on early childhood education obtained the highest TE scores. Participants expressed intent to make adaptations directed toward all students and less willingness to use differentiated instruction.