Background/Purpose: This study assessed theoretical constructs Theory of Planned Behavior (TpB) (Ajzen, 2001) associated with intentions of middle and high school principals toward physical education.
Method Sample size and power for the survey were established using Hinkle and Hinkle's (1983) model for estimation of sample size. The model showed a need for 55 principals (á=.05). Seventy-seven of 150 (51%) principals completed the Principals' Attitude Toward Physical Education (PAPE) survey using Survey Monkey. The PAPE consists of a legal definition of physical education, 47 theoretical items using a five-point Likert scale, and 14 demographic items. Eight experts in Kinesiology reviewed the survey for content relevance and theoretical appropriateness (Messick, 1995). Three experts had extensive expertise in attitude theory and research. Five other experts had expertise in teaching physical education in public schools also reviewed the survey. Each expert concluded the PAPE had content relevance. The three experts with knowledge of the TpB concurred about the theoretical appropriateness of the PAPE.
Analysis/Results Reliability (coefficient alpha, Cronbach, 1951) of the PAPE for beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intentions was .82, .88, .41, .78, .63, and .81 respectively. Results from a simultaneous multiple regression procedure (R=.73; R2=.53; F6,69 = 13.03, p<.001) indicated that intentions of principals toward physical education are best estimated by attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, behavioral beliefs normative beliefs.
Conclusions While five of the six constructs were associated with predicting intentions attitude clearly is best predictor (â=.66), t(69)=5.085, p<.001)