Building Students’ Self-Efficacy : An Educator’s Guide to Fostering Motivation for Academic Success

Building Students’ Self-Efficacy provides a roadmap for creating classrooms where students believe in their ability to succeed, and where that belief translates into meaningful, lasting academic growth.

Educators often focus on improving students’ academic habits by encouraging them to do to things like come to class prepared, manage their time, and take on challenges. Yet the critical factor underlying all these behaviors—self-efficacy—is often misunderstood or overlooked. This guide changes that by offering educators practical, research-based steps to leveraging the benefits of self-efficacy in their classrooms in every lesson. The book presents decades of research in accessible terms, guiding teachers to connect theory to practice across diverse grade levels and subjects. Operationalizing Albert Bandura’s (1977) four factors of self-efficacy development, the book explains how to employ self-efficacy to drive effort, persistence, risk-taking, agency, and goal setting in the classroom. It includes relatable vignettes, reflection questions, and insights into supporting self-efficacy in both face-to-face and digital learners. Teachers are also supported in building their self-efficacy in today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey, Building Students’ Self-Efficacy provides a roadmap for creating classrooms where students believe in their ability to succeed, and where that belief translates into meaningful, lasting academic growth.