Values and teaching styles in primary schools. A study on teachers' self-perceptions

This contribution is aimed to be a conceptual proposal within the discussion on the teachers' assessment and also intends to make a contribution in the explanation of the variables affecting and characterizing the primary school teachers' teaching styles. The study fits within the international debate on this topic and more in specific on the tools used for the assessment, and returns the interest on Values as psychological dimension characterizing the teaching styles and the teachers' self-assessed skills. The use of the spanish scale "Escala de Evaluacion de la Competencia Autopercibida del Docente de Educacion Primaria" (ECAD-EP), together with the Schwartz PVQ scale (Portrait Values Questionnaire) involved a sample of 203 primary school teachers. According to the results, the values whom primarily affect the development of these skills and professional behaviors are: tradition, universalism, benevolence and self direction. The first two affect more significantly and on a higher number skills, while the rest have more specific and targeted influences. Further studies will show in depth the socio-demographic variables impact on the teaching styles, contributing to the international literature about these issues.