Considering the Impact of Preservice Teacher Beliefs on Future Practice

Abstract

Preservice teacher beliefs merit additional attention from special education teacher-educators. Given current policy and reforms aimed at improving outcomes for students with disabilities and increasing the adoption of evidence-based practices, teacher-educators should recognize the barrier that preservice teacher beliefs can pose and consider beliefs as a potential contributor to the longstanding gap between research and practice in special education. Two particular belief constructs addressed in this article are (a) self-efficacy and (b) credibility for information sources. Each of these influences preservice teacher confidence, motivation, decision making, and actions in service of students with disabilities, impacting instructional decision making and treatment of children.