1. Introduction
The concept of teacher self-efficacy plays a pivotal role in shaping educators’ approaches to inclusive education. A recent study focused on students from the Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Baccalaureate, Vocational Training, and Language Teaching (MDSE), evaluating these students’ perceptions of diversity and the training they received to become inclusive educators. This research revealed that perceived teacher self-efficacy was instrumental in promoting inclusive school principles and values and acted as a predictor for heightened readiness in diversity awareness. In addition, once a high level of teacher self-efficacy is achieved, the motivation to teach will be greater, as will their effectiveness in implementing inclusive practices, directly impacting the quality of their teaching [
1,
2] and student well-being [
3].
Furthermore, as highlighted by Bueno-Alvarez et al. in their review on the subject [
1], several authors have expressed interest in the relevance of the variables that mediate between teaching motivation and student outcomes, with the sense of self-efficacy being one of the most significant [
4].
Rooted in Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory [
5], the perception of self-efficacy emerges as a crucial determinant in task and goal accomplishment. This perception is influenced by individuals’ thoughts and beliefs about their ability to plan and carry out the necessary actions to achieve desired outcomes. Bandura further states that “if people believe they have no power to produce these outcomes, they will not make the effort to make it happen”. Thus, teacher self-efficacy is defined as “teachers’ belief in their ability to organize and execute the actions necessary to successfully perform a specific teaching task in a given context” [
6]. This is considered a predictor of teachers’ future behavior in terms of the effort and persistence they will dedicate to teaching, and their commitment to supporting the learning of all students based on their optimism and motivation [
7]. As we can see, self-efficacy beliefs exert influence over behavior as a whole through cognitive, motivational, emotional, and selective processes.
A key study in the field [
8] suggests that educators who possess strong self-efficacy beliefs tend to embrace novel concepts, willingly experiment with new teaching methods, adeptly structure their lessons, and exhibit heightened enthusiasm in their teaching approach. Furthermore, teacher self-efficacy is not exclusively connected to the academic achievements of students; it also corresponds with the level of motivation teachers exhibit during their classes and the standards they establish for their students [
9].
Similarly, teachers who feel unable to motivate students, improve their own teaching, and manage the classroom often face increased lack of motivation and disillusionment in their work. These beliefs hold importance not just at opposing ends but also at moderate levels of self-efficacy, as evidenced in other studies [
10], which found significant differences in motivation between teachers with intermediate levels of self-efficacy and those characterized by high levels of self-efficacy.
The prevailing model of teacher self-efficacy [
11] delineates two interconnected dimensions that shape this judgment. Firstly, teachers evaluate the obstacles and enablers they encounter in the teaching and learning process. Secondly, they evaluate their own teaching competence, skills, knowledge, etc., to operate effectively in a specific teaching context. The interplay between these dimensions culminates in a self-perception of efficacy that frames the educational context as either a challenge or a threat for future teachers.
And what task currently lies at the heart of the challenges for future secondary education teachers? Within the current global framework of education and the regulatory developments in our country [
12,
13], two main priorities stand out: inclusive education and sustainable development [
14]. There is a pressing need for quality attention to diversity in classrooms [
15]. Moreover, we must shift our perspective towards finding new responses and strategies to ensure that everyone has access, participates, and achieves success within the same social and educational setting in schools where the sustainability of educational and social change is possible.
A school that promotes the well-being not only of students but also of teachers from an ecological perspective, where both are interconnected, should not cause the former to have a negative environmental impact on the latter from a perspective of sustainable well-being. Therefore, ensuring a sense of self-efficacy that promotes sustainable well-being in teachers not only benefits educators individually but also has a positive impact on the educational environment as a whole, improving the quality of teaching and learning and contributing to the academic and personal success of students [
16].
The challenge of training inclusive teachers is significant and cannot be overlooked. Each teacher’s judgments about their abilities and competencies are crucial for their development in this role [
17]. These elements are key to effectively implementing our educational principles and goals [
18]. Furthermore, these perceptions affect the overall classroom climate and student learning outcomes [
19].
Furthermore, there seems to be agreement in identifying these beliefs of teacher self-efficacy as a relevant element that influences the strategies teachers implement in their classrooms [
20]; that is, how teachers respond to the diversity of situations in the classroom will be associated with the assessment of their own strengths. However, for effective teaching practice [
21], it is not enough to have an adequate vision of one’s own capacity [
22]; it also requires knowledge of the subject matter to be taught and mastery of a series of competencies and skills, including those outlined in the Profile of the Inclusive Teacher [
17].
Therefore, it is evident that the ideas and principles of inclusive education and sustainable development require future teachers who can put them into practice in their day-to-day work in the classroom. However, this also requires them to have initial and adequate training that aligns with the challenge [
20,
22]. Training should empower them to develop the necessary skills and competencies. Additionally, systematic educational policies should be promoted [
23] to overcome obstacles and enhance the facilitators of the socio-educational process. Positive self-efficacy beliefs are especially significant as they not only predict learning outcomes but also foster teacher motivation and commitment to their school and teaching [
24].
Several authors [
25] point out that if teachers do not feel prepared to work with all students, the challenge is to improve the training they receive by adapting it to their teaching needs and strengthening the sense of self-efficacy. Otherwise, a negative sense of self-efficacy could generate unfavorable attitudes towards the challenge posed by inclusive education and attention to diversity [
26], along with higher levels of concern and stress in the daily experience of the classroom [
27], lower levels of job satisfaction [
28], and motivational deficits [
29]. This, in turn, would not only result in the failure of process implementation but also in negative levels of teacher well-being and its associated consequences [
30,
31], both for them and for the entire system from a systemic perspective [
32].
At this point, the training received in the Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Baccalaureate, Vocational Training, and Language Teaching (MDSE) will be of great importance, not only because it is essential for the future development of education [
33], but also because the level of preparation and academic training plays a crucial role in the development of self-efficacy: having adequate training, both methodological and academic, fosters positive beliefs about one’s capacity and ability to handle the required teaching actions [
34], which is associated with higher self-efficacy for teaching and motivation to teach [
6,
35].
And, as José Antonio Marina Torres pointed out in the foreword of the TALIS 2013 Secondary Report [
36], the quality of an educational system cannot be higher than the quality of its teachers. Therefore, if we want to combine sustainable well-being [
16], quality, equity, and inclusion for all students, especially the most vulnerable ones, we must focus on teachers starting from their initial and ongoing training. And considering the significance of motivation and self-efficacy in teachers’ work, we inquire whether the training they receive in MUPES, as a precursor to professional practice, enables them to reach a high level of self-efficacy.
Given the expanded initial study sample and for the reasons previously outlined, this study aims to assess the level of perceived teacher self-efficacy among students in the MDSE program, both globally and in each of the areas that make up this construct. Additionally, the study seeks to examine the variables that modulate this perception in order to boost them, the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and the training received in the master’s program, and its ultimate impact on concerns related to the development of inclusive education as a factor that affects well-being. This includes the appropriateness of their feelings towards people with disabilities and educational needs and on attitudes to face the current educational landscape. We hypothesize that a heightened sense of teacher self-efficacy will be related to a more favorable disposition towards diversity, fewer related concerns, and a higher level of knowledge and competencies acquired in the MDSE program for their development as inclusive teachers [
12] in a sustainable school for all that ensures not only the right to education in terms of quality and equity but also contributes to the shaping of just and sustainable societies [
37].
4. Discussion
Firstly, it should be noted that, in a systematic review on studies from 2015 to 2021 [
1] related to the sense of self-efficacy in future teachers of the master’s degree, no previous work was identified on the relationship between the self-efficacy and the training received in the master’s degree. As such, the current research contributes to a gap in the literature related to teacher training for secondary education in inclusive schools, its influence on the relevant perception of self-efficacy to face this challenge, and its ultimate connection with workplace well-being, including teacher well-being as a pillar of sustainable well-being in today’s schools.
On the other hand, there are numerous studies focused on teacher self-efficacy in relation to inclusion, diversity, and classroom management. These research endeavors underscore the significance of teacher training and ongoing professional development in enhancing self-efficacy and fostering favorable attitudes towards inclusion and diversity [
48,
49]. For instance, one study discovered that educators who underwent professional development in inclusive education and special educational needs exhibited more favorable attitudes towards inclusion [
48]. Another study indicated that both initial and continuous training in classroom management positively influenced teacher self-efficacy in this area [
49].
The main result of this study indicates that the level of teacher self-efficacy among future secondary education teachers in our sample is moderate to high. In general, they have confidence in their ability to effectively use instructional strategies, manage the classroom, and engage students in learning. This is highly positive, as various authors have noted [
1,
50], since higher levels of self-efficacy are associated with increased motivation and performance in the teaching profession. It is also related to improved student outcomes [
51], a better work environment, innovation, and sustainable well-being [
19,
20,
52]. Furthermore, teachers with high levels of self-efficacy set goals for themselves and exert greater effort to achieve them, which has direct implications for their teaching practice and forms the basis for their subsequent judgments of self-efficacy in a cyclical process [
53,
54].
The sample particularly demonstrates a strong sense of efficacy in the dimension of teacher self-efficacy to optimize their own instruction through instructional strategies. This finding is relevant considering the research conducted by other authors on the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and the development of inclusive strategies in the classroom [
54]. These heightened feelings of self-efficacy, positively linked to instructional effectiveness, prompt teachers to engage in organizational planning and demonstrate a proactive approach towards the challenges and obstacles encountered in their daily teaching. Moreover, teacher self-efficacy can mitigate and alleviate acute stressors associated with work, thereby enhancing teachers’ overall well-being [
55].
A positive classroom discipline climate [
56] is the aspect that most significantly affects the perception of secondary school teachers regarding their self-efficacy. These results align with the conclusions of other authors [
57,
58] and highlight the need for enhanced initial training on teaching and learning processes and classroom management. The training should promote the adoption of norms, conflict resolution, and self-management and self-control skills, thereby increasing the future teachers’ ability to create positive learning environments and their sense of self-efficacy [
59,
60,
61].
This weakness, which appears to be more pronounced in the sample of future teachers in the field of Engineering and Architecture compared to those in the field of Social and Legal Sciences or Health Sciences, aligns with the findings of other similar studies [
62]. In the long run, it may have a dual effect. On one hand, it can discourage teachers, negatively impacting their psychological well-being, and on the other hand, it may devalue the teaching of subject knowledge in favor of focusing solely on discipline management, thereby disregarding the objectives of comprehensive student development and attention to diversity.
The significance of these findings cannot be overstated, as the examination of teacher self-efficacy and its implications for sustainable workplace well-being highlight its pivotal role in shaping educators’ perceptions of their profession, classroom dynamics, and their influence on student learning outcomes. Consequently, educators with heightened self-efficacy are inclined to adopt effective pedagogical strategies and techniques, leading to heightened student engagement and academic success. Furthermore, teacher self-efficacy directly impacts performance, reflecting overall competence [
63].
But what variables have modulated the feeling of teaching self-efficacy, both at a global level and in each of its factors? The perception of teacher self-efficacy is influenced by two types of factors [
64]: direct factors related to the actions teachers take in their daily interactions with students, and indirect factors such as vocation, personality traits, mastery of specific content or skills, and attitudes towards students and inclusive schooling, among others. In our sample, vocation and other indirect factors have been key contributors to an elevated perception of teacher self-efficacy.
These findings are also supported by other authors [
56], who note that pre-service teachers with a strong vocational inclination tend to have higher levels of teacher self-efficacy. Furthermore, the review of Bueno-Alvarez [
1] highlights how intrinsic goals in MUPES, which could be linked to vocation as the reason for pursuing studies, exert a positive, direct, and indirect effect through academic autonomous motivation on teacher self-efficacy. Conversely, extrinsic goal contents revealed a direct and negative effect on teacher self-efficacy in MUPES students [
10,
65,
66]. In addition, it is important to understand the significance of vocational inclination, along with training, in shaping teachers’ perception of the context in which they operate, whether as a challenge or a threat. Likewise, the vocation constitutes an essential condition for achieving job satisfaction in the teaching profession [
67,
68], which ultimately leads to high levels of motivation and low work stress [
69].
The variable of regular and close contact with individuals in situations of special vulnerability, which is one of the most influential factors in attitudes and perceptions of inclusion in today’s schools [
68], may also be related to the sense of teacher self-efficacy in inclusive schools due to the positive attitude it fosters towards inclusive education. Regarding the factors analyzed, this
contact appears as a particularly significant variable in the development of feeling of self-efficacy for classroom management and class management.
The most influential variable found in relation to the level of teacher self-efficacy, namely experience in non-formal teaching to individuals in situations of special vulnerability [
70], has allowed future teachers to develop ways of “doing and being” [
71] with diversity in educational processes prior to their MDSE program. Practical training received by future teachers influences their sense of professional self-efficacy through vicarious experiences, and as previous research indicates, other variables such as prior experiences also play a role [
1].
Furthermore, training in the working context, as argued by Levy-Leboyer [
72], surpasses any form of education, as “experiences gained from action, assuming real responsibility, and facing concrete problems truly provide competencies that even the best instruction cannot deliver”. On the other hand, recent studies [
73] show how one can observe a more positive influence in teachers associated with these previous experiences working with boys and girls with special education needs informally, rather than having learned through regulated training.
Within the specific factor related to the commitment to students, women exhibit a higher sense of self-efficacy compared to men, which is consistent with other studies that have shown similar results associated with the underlying interpersonal intelligence [
74]. Additionally, there are studies investigating variations in teacher self-efficacy based on gender and university type. For instance, one study discovered that female teachers exhibited greater self-efficacy in classroom management compared to their male counterparts [
75]. Another study revealed that educators from private universities demonstrated higher self-efficacy in instructing students with disabilities than those from public universities [
49].
In the present investigation, there appear to be statistically significant differences between the MDSE students at private universities, who feels more capable of optimizing their own instruction through the development of various educational strategies, and the MSDE students at public universities. These data show similarities with those found by Sebastiá et al. [
76] in a study on the monitoring and accreditation reporting processes of MUPES in Spain. In the comparative analysis between private and public universities, the former had more positive evaluations, achieving higher scores than the public ones in most of the evaluated criteria. It would be necessary to conduct a broader analysis in new research, and on a more representative sample, to corroborate these data and to understand, if applicable, the indicators or criteria that may be behind these results for the continuous improvement of institutions.
As previously mentioned, for effective teaching action [
21,
22] it is not enough to have a sense of self-worth. It is also essential to have knowledge of the subject matter and mastery of a set of competencies and skills, including those indicated in the Profile of the Inclusive Teacher [
17]. Among these, the named dimensions are key, as they indicate the preparation of future teachers for Universal Design for Learning [
77] and attention to diversity within the framework of inclusive education. We cannot ignore that, in terms of the correlation between self-efficacy and pursuing a master’s program, there is evidence suggesting that such programs can have a positive influence on teacher self-efficacy. For example, a study revealed that educators who engaged in a master’s program in special education experienced a boost in their self-efficacy when teaching students with disabilities [
49].
No statistically significant differences have been found among age groups, with the initially striking observation being the large percentage of students over the age of 31. This result is also found in a recent study [
78] with students from the MDSE, where the average age was 34.49 years, with 71.2% of individuals being 30 years or older. Furthermore, upon examining data from the Ministry of Universities [
79], it is found that 38.56% of students enrolled in the MDSE program this academic year are 31 years or older.
On the other hand, we cannot separate these findings from the period of practical training, knowing that the practical training of future teachers significantly influences their sense of self-efficacy [
1], depending on their level of competence, intrinsic motivation, self-concept, and regulatory capacity [
80]. This is relevant because the practical training, particularly the period of practical experience and the guidance provided by mentors in the schools, should ensure the observation and modeling of behaviors and attitudes of self-efficacy in future teachers. It is important to be aware that we cannot expect desired behaviors if we do not model and provide feedback, emphasizing the importance of vicarious learning and feedback [
71].
Additionally, an inverse relationship was found between the concerns factor and the level of self-efficacy, suggesting that lower perceived self-efficacy is associated with greater concerns about addressing diversity. As indicated by several authors [
81], one of the areas with the greatest impact on the development of a sustainable school system is “from the well-being of individuals to the well-being of the community”. This concept of well-being extends to teachers, given their critical role in influencing the well-being of other stakeholders. The connection between teacher well-being, their training for inclusive schooling, its underlying values, and their sense of self-efficacy is fundamental.
These findings are consistent with other studies that demonstrate strong relationships between feelings, attitudes, concerns, and perceptions of teacher self-efficacy in the development of inclusive education [
82,
83]. In addition, the lower level of concerns, associated with higher well-being, also aligns with the analysis conducted by other authors on teacher self-efficacy and its effect on sustainable well-being. This demonstrates that teacher self-efficacy significantly shapes educators’ perceptions of their roles, classroom dynamics, and their influence on student learning outcomes [
63].
In summary, there exists a substantial body of research centered on teacher self-efficacy concerning inclusion, diversity, well-being, and classroom management. These studies underscore the significance of teacher training and professional development in enhancing self-efficacy and fostering positive attitudes towards inclusion and diversity in sustainable schools [
14,
84].
5. Conclusions
This study provides relevant results concerning the sense of self-efficacy in future teachers of the master’s program (MDSE) in relation to the training received in the MDSE. This was made possible by the use of the Questionnaire for Future Secondary Education Teachers Regarding Perceptions of Diversity Attention, developed in Spain specifically to evaluate the impact of the training received in the master’s program on the students.
The findings show that, overall, future teachers have an adequate level of teacher self-efficacy, although they exhibit specific weaknesses in certain aspects. Generally, participants feel capable of using effective instructional strategies and managing classes but show less confidence in handling disruptive behavior and calming noisy or disruptive students.
Significant differences in teacher self-efficacy were observed according to various variables, such as experience in teaching people in situations of special vulnerability, motivation to pursue the master’s degree, and participants’ area of knowledge.
Additionally, a positive correlation was found between teacher self-efficacy and the perception of the training received in the master’s program, as well as with attitudes towards diversity and inclusive education. In general, those with higher levels of teacher self-efficacy also showed a more positive attitude towards diversity in the classroom and less concern about the special needs of students. And this correlation found is highly valuable, emphasizing its importance not only for the improvement of educational inclusion processes and sustainable development but especially for pinpointing relevant areas of improvement in MDSE studies.
With respect to the three specific factors of teacher self-efficacy (commitment to students, instructional strategies, and classroom management), similar patterns of results and correlations with demographic and training variables were observed. In summary, the study highlights the importance of teacher self-efficacy in the preparation of future educators for inclusive and sustainable schools, and its relationship with the training received, attitudes towards diversity and inclusive education, and effective classroom management.
Regarding some of the practical implications of the results, the following suggestions are made with the aim of supporting the professional and personal development [
17] of future secondary school teachers: (1) To improve teacher training in discipline management and the strengthening of moral authority. This will enable teachers to inspire enthusiasm, resolve conflicts fairly, transmit a passion for learning, and ultimately foster the holistic development of students [
85]. (2) To promote action learning and reflection in practice centers to enhance teaching practice. The selection of practice centers and mentors should be considered [
86,
87], taking into account the criteria recommended by research in the field of inclusion and educational innovation and being aware of the importance of this selection. The observation of other colleagues and the verbal persuasion that can be received from these are two key elements for improving teacher self-efficacy. (3) To continue researching teacher self-efficacy and MDSE training to identify the elements acquired during the received training. This will allow intentional programming within training programs, along with practical activities, to promote the self-efficacy of trainee teachers as presented in other studies; this is important, given that beliefs about teaching effectiveness are malleable in the first stages of learning. (4) To foster the engagement of future teachers with the most vulnerable students in the educational system, in a diverse environment, through collaboration with educational institutions, entities, and associations. This can be achieved through the organization of volunteers in universities, from the beginning of the previous university degrees, both in scientific as well as social and artistic fields, and through the development of Service-Learning projects and other active and social methodologies in MDSE subjects. (5) To promote understanding within the MDSE about the importance of sustainable well-being as one of the values to support the construction of inclusive education [
14]. (6) There should be a mentoring program to ensure that the beginning teacher develops contextual skills, reflection skills, and as such learns from their practice—especially in the first few years of their teaching.