Examining the Relationships Between Behavior Policies and Procedures, Teachers' Perceptions of Efficacy and Job Satisfaction, and Children's Social Skills and Challenging Behaviors in Head Start Settings

Due to an increase in the number of young children who are beginning their school experiences without the emotional, social, behavioral, and academic skills necessary for school success; educators, researchers, and policy makers have begun to recognize the importance and interconnectedness of these skills. There is a clear need for comprehensive approaches to support young children's social emotional development and address challenging behaviors; however little research exists on the availability of such support. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between program behavior policies and procedures and perceived levels of job satisfaction and teacher efficacy as reported by teachers in six Head Start programs. In addition, the relationship between teacher efficacy and job satisfaction and children's social skills and challenging behaviors was examined. The results indicate that the quality and implementation of behavior policies and procedures is significantly related to teachers' perceptions of personal efficacy. Findings also suggest that teachers who perceive themselves as more efficacious rate the social skills of the children in their classrooms higher than teachers who perceive themselves as less efficacious. Findings also indicate that teachers with higher job satisfaction rate children's social skills higher and children's challenging behaviors lower than teachers who report being less satisfied with their job. Limitations of the study and implications for research and practice are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Special Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Quesenberry, Amanda C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ostrosky, Michaelene M.

• Education, Early Childhood

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3290355

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80000