The Relationship between Professional Uncertainty and Teachers Collaboration

In research literature, the often lamented lack of teacher cooperation at German schools is explained by the so-called uncertainty of the teaching profession. Based on the sociological work of Lortie (1975) it is assumed that some typical conditions in this profession are making it difficult for teachers to evaluate their own professional competencies. These uncertain teachers are avoiding cooperation because of their fear of negative evaluation. In an empirical survey with 377 German teachers these hypotheses are tested via multiple regression analyses and structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate that most of the endemic uncertainties are only experienced on a low level and that the relationship between occupational self-esteem and teacher cooperation is significant, though not very strong. Suggestions for an improvement of cooperation in German schools are presented at the end of this study