Measuring the Ability to Care in Pre-Service Teachers.

Relationships matter in successful teaching and in particular, the ability to care appears to be a key component of successful teacher-student relationships (Stronge, 2007; Wentzel, 1992; Agne, 1992; Owens & Ennis, 2005). Borrowing from the extensive research involving student and practicing nurses and health professionals on the development and measurement of the ability to care for others, the present study seeks to measure preservice teachers’ scores on the Caring Abilities Inventory (CAI). Results of the study indicate that pre-service teachers’ scores are similar to scores obtained for practicing nurses and higher than scores obtained for same gender college students of various majors. Implications for teacher preparation are discussed.