The Relationship Between Students and Teachers Perceptions of Classroom Control and Teacher Morale in Seventh-day Adventist Schools

Purpose. This study investigated the relationship between students' and teachers' perceptions of teachers' ability to control students and teacher morale in selected Seventh-day Adventist schools.

Procedures. The population consisted of 279 teachers and 512 students in grades eight through 12 in Seventh-day Adventist Schools in Southern California. The Purdue Teacher Opinionnaire, Purdue Teacher Evaluation Scale, and Teacher Perception Questionnaire were administered. Demographic characteristics of the population were determined using means, standard deviations, and ranges for continuous variables.

Findings. (1) Teacher morale is not correlated with teachers' perception of their ability to control students. (2) Teacher morale is related in some aspects to the way students perceive their teacher's ability to control. (3) Teacher's perception of ability can either be negatively or positively associated with the way students perceive their teacher's ability to control. (4) No difference exists in the findings between junior high and high school levels.

Recommendations. (1) Investigation be conducted to determine if an association exists not only between students' and teachers' perception of student control but also the principal's perception of teachers' ability to control. (2) Investigation be conducted using an essay format in gathering information from teachers and students about classroom management. (3) Investigation be undertaken to determine why a wider discrepancy existed in the junior high versus the high school population in the perceptions of student control between teachers and students. (4) Research be conducted to find if discipline classes were taken by teachers who perceived themselves as having low student control versus teachers who perceived themselves as having high control to see if there are significant relationships. (5) If research confirms that teachers with low student control have not had courses in classroom management that teacher preparation institutions including such courses in the program. (6) That principals work with teachers who perceive themselves as having low student control in developing a plan that will improve perceptions of their ability to manage students. (7) That superintendents of education in Seventh-day Adventist schools consider providing practical help for teachers who have low student control. (8) That a study be conducted of parents who have enrolled their students in both public and Seventh-day Adventist schools to determine their perceptions of student control in the two systems.

Availability:
For Sale
Publication Date:
1990
Author:
Antonio Valenzuela
Order Information:
Full text available through ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Completed through Loma Linda University.
Language:
English
Resource Type:
Unpublished Plans & Papers; Internet Resources
Resource Objective:
Research
Level:
Kindergarten-Grade 12
Audience:
Administrator / Leader, Teacher / Faculty, Researcher
Religious Origin:
Seventh-day Adventist