Abstract:

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between teachers' sociodemographic characteristics and their attitudes towards multicultural education and refugee students. Participants consisted of 134 teachers who were recruited through purposive sampling. Ages of the participants ranged from 23 to 62 (M=38,70; SD=7,97), of which 55 were female and 79 were male. Along with sociodemographic questions, Teacher Multicultural Attitude Survey (TMAS) and Refugee Student Attitude Scale (RSAS) were administered online. Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between TMAS and RSAS total scores. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between TMAS total scores and RSAS communication subscale scores and RSAS competency subscale scores. The scale scores did not differ significantly for the variables of gender, going abroad, having a multicultural experience, having refugee students in the past, having refugee students currently and participating in any professional education related to refugee students. The teachers’ TMAS scores were found to differ significantly according to their ages and the type of settlement where they have spent most of their lives. It was found that teachers’ RSAS scores correlated with their age, professional experience, settlement type, and school levels they work.

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