Texas early childhood educators' self-efficacy

The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze the influence of environmental and personal characteristics on the self-efficacy of child care teachers in Texas. Using the self-reported Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001) in a convenience sample population from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services child care licensing list, a multiple linear regression and ANOVA sought to examine group differences of teacher self-efficacy based on their years of experience, highest level of education, whether the center where they were employed was accredited and depending on the type of child care center. During participant recruitment and data collection the historic global pandemic, COVID-19 led to child care center closures, unemployment, and a multitude of emotional and physical tolls on the target population, challenging the internal validity of the study. Due to an underpowered sample, no significant differences were found in either of the analyses, but the lack of significance should be interpreted with caution. Replication of this study in another time is warranted.