REGULATORY EFFECT OF GENDER AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STATUS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AWARENESS AND SELF-EFFICACY

Abstract

Inclusive education is based on the idea that all individuals—regardless of individual characteristics and differences—should have access to education, a fundamental right granted to all. This study examines the relationship between pre-service teachers’ inclusive education awareness and self-efficacy and the impact of different variables that may affect this relationship. For this purpose, the Awareness Scale for Inclusive Education and the Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Perception of Inclusive Education Scale were used as data collection tools. The study was conducted through a correlational survey design to understand the relationship between pre-service teachers’ Awareness of Inclusive Education scores and Teacher’s Self-Efficacy Perception of Inclusive Education scores and determine the regulatory effect of gender and the departments in which the teachers studied on this relationship. The study sample included 360 pre-service teachers who completed the Special Education and Inclusion course. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and the Process Macro plugin. The results show a significant relationship between pre-service teachers’ awareness of inclusive education and self-efficacy perceptions. Results also indicate that while the regulatory effect of gender on the relationship between pre-service teachers’ inclusive education awareness and self-efficacy perceptions was not significant, the regulatory effect of the department they belonged to was substantial.