Teacher efficacy is so important because fundamental beliefs held by society about the achievement potential of at- risk students are a contributing cause of the current dropout problem. The only way to restructure schools is to create conditions that will foster changes in educational thought and practice. Compared with low efficacy teachers, teachers with high efficacy believe that good teaching can make a difference with all students regardless of external factors. They use a greater variety and number of teaching strategies, and more specific strategies with low achievers. They use more positive and more academically oriented language when describing low achievers and demonstrate a stronger sense of responsibility toward the achievement of difficult learners. Effective teachers of minority students tend to engage in collaborative planning, be articulate in theory and practice, have supportive principals, have a sense of ownership over the curriculum, and demonstrate a strong sense of personal efficacy. 37 references