Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument*

Please indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with each statement below by circling the appropriate letters to the right of each statement.

SA = Strongly Agree

A = Agree

UN = Uncertain

D = Disagree

SD = Strongly Disagree

1. When a student does better than usual in science, it is often because the teacher exerted SA A UN D SD

a little extra effort.

2. I am continually finding better ways to teach science. SA A UN D SD

3. Even when I try very hard, I don't teach science as well as I do most subjects. SA A UN D SD

4. When the science grades of students improve, it is most often due to their teacher having SA A UN D SD

found a more effective teaching approach.

5. I know the steps necessary to teach science concepts effectively. SA A UN D SD

6. I am not very effective in monitoring science experiments. SA A UN D SD

7. If students are underachieving in science, it is most likely due to ineffective science SA A UN D SD

teaching.

8. I generally teach science ineffectively. SA A UN D SD

9. The inadequacy of a student's science background can be overcome by good teaching. SA A UN D SD

10. The low science achievement of some students cannot generally be blamed on their SA A UN D SD

teachers.

11. When a low achieving child progresses in science, it is usually due to extra attention SA A UN D SD

given by the teacher.

12. I understand science concepts well enough to be effective in teaching elementary science. SA A UN D SD

13. Increased effort in science teaching produces little change in some students' science SA A UN D SD

achievement.

14. The teacher is generally responsible for the achievement of students in science. SA A UN D SD

15. Students' achievement in science is directly related to their SA A UN D SD

teacher's effectiveness in science teaching.

16. If parents comment that their child is showing more interest in science at school, it SA A UN D SD

is probably due to the performance of the child's teacher.

17. I find it difficult to explain to students why science experiments work. SA A UN D SD

18. I am typically able to answer students' science questions. SA A UN D SD

19. I wonder if I have the necessary skills to teach science. SA A UN D SD

20. Effectiveness in science teaching has little influence on the achievement of students SA A UN D SD

with low motivation.

21. Given a choice, I would not invite the principal to evaluate my science teaching. SA A UN D SD

22. When a student has difficulty understanding a science concept, I am usually at a loss SA A UN D SD

as to how to help the student understand it better.

23. When teaching science, I usually welcome student questions. SA A UN D SD

24. I don't know what to do to turn students on to science. SA A UN D SD

25. Even teachers with good science teaching abilities cannot help some kids learn science. SA A UN D SD

*In Riggs, I., & Enochs, L. (1990). Towards the development of an elementary teacher’s science teaching efficacy belief instrument. Science Education, 74, 625-637