Teacher and Student Perception of Teacher Behavior
Eugene Mortorff
May 2004
The purpose of this action research descriptive study was to compare 789 students'
perceptions of teachers against their teachers' self-assessments to determine the amount
of difference that existed. Participants in this study were students and teachers from a
rural high school. Information was gathered using a survey form with a Likert scale
design. Teachers were rated on sixteen statements which quantified eight different
teacher behaviors: leadership, helpfulness, understanding, freedom, uncertainty,
satisfied, admonishment, and strictness. The study found there were apparent differences
in perception in the areas of admonishment and strictness and lesser differences in other
categories. Suggestions for further study include a correlational study to determine if a
relationship exists between incongruent perceptions of teacher behavior and academic
performance.