Validity and reliability of the Italian version of the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale

Purpose: This study investigates the construct validity and reliability of the Italian version of the Teachers' Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES) developed by Tschannen-Moran and Hoy (2001) and contributes to existing research aimed at exploring the elements and variables that influence teachers' self-efficacy levels. Design/methodology/approach: The instrument, translated and adapted in Italian by Cardarello et al. (2017), was tested on a sample of 349 in-service second grade teachers with similar demographic profiles (gender, age, seniority). The study analyzes the data following the exploratory factor analysis. Findings: The results of this research confirm the relevance of the three-factor model, but opens the possibility of a different organizational structure of the items within the scale. In fact, the results confirmed both the original TSES three-factor structure (student engagement, classroom management, instructional strategies) and a new four-factor structure. The new four-factor structure recognizes two new factors of an instructional nature, “Inclusive instructional strategies, learner-centered” and “Traditional instructional strategies, teacher-centered.” The first one recalls beliefs about capabilities to use strategies and assessments focused on students' needs (inclusive perspective); the second one refers to the dimension of the disciplinary master. Originality/value: According to the idea that teachers' self-efficacy is a multidimensional construct, the findings of this study invite to reflect upon the meanings of scale application in different cultural contexts and open a discussion about instructional strategies and the experience of teaching in Italy.