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Teacher Education as an Agent for Sustainability: Validation of an SDGs‐Focused Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Questionnaire for Pre‐Service Primary Teachers

Author

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  • Jorge Crespo‐Martín
  • Isaac Corbacho‐Cuello
  • Aurora Muñoz‐Losa

Abstract

This study validates the Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior (KAB) Questionnaire, a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate sustainability‐related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among pre‐service primary school teachers, with a specific alignment to five key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The questionnaire, comprising 39 items across three dimensions—economic, environmental, and social—was administered to 229 pre‐service teachers at a Spanish university. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses confirmed its three‐factor structure, with high internal consistency for each dimension (Cronbach's Alpha > 0.80). The findings reveal that while participants demonstrate strong sustainability knowledge and positive attitudes, there is a significant gap between these attitudes and their actual sustainable behaviors, highlighting the well‐documented “knowledge‐action gap.” The KAB Questionnaire provides a robust instrument for evaluating how teacher education programs address sustainability, offering insights that can inform the design of initiatives to promote meaningful action‐oriented learning and engagement with sustainability principles.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Crespo‐Martín & Isaac Corbacho‐Cuello & Aurora Muñoz‐Losa, 2025. "Teacher Education as an Agent for Sustainability: Validation of an SDGs‐Focused Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Questionnaire for Pre‐Service Primary Teachers," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(6), pages 8057-8071, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:6:p:8057-8071
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70084
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    References listed on IDEAS

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