The job demands-resources model (JD-R model; Bakker & Demerouti, 2014) is well established in occupational research, and the proposed processes it posits have been replicated numerous times. Thus, the JD-R model provides an excellent framework for explaining the occupational well-being of beginning teachers-an occupation associated with particularly high levels of strain and consequently, high attrition rates. However, the model's assumptions have to date mostly been tested piecewise, and seldom on the basis of longitudinal models. With a series of longitudinal autoregressive SEM models (N = 1,700) we tested all assumptions of the JD-R model simultaneously in one model with an applied focus on beginning teachers. We assessed self-reports of beginning teachers at three time waves: at the beginning and end (one and a half to two years later) of their preservice period, and again, one year later. Results revealed significant direct effects of resources (self-efficacy) on engagement, of demands (classroom disturbances) on strain (emotional exhaustion), and a significant reverse path of engagement on self-efficacy. Additionally, the results showed two moderation effects: Self-efficacy buffered the demands-strain relationship, while self-efficacy also predicted engagement, especially when disturbances were high. Thus, self-efficacy in classroom management plays an important role in the teachers' stress development process, as it will, in case of high classroom disturbances, not only buffer the strain-enhancing effects, but also boost engagement. Commitment was predicted directly by emotional exhaustion and engagement, but indirectly only by self-efficacy (via engagement). Thus, we provide strong empirical support for the JD-R model. (PsycINFO Database Record

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This paper presents two studies adding validity evidence to the assessment of educational knowledge (EK) measured by a recently developed test. The first study compared the test scores of a large sample of graduates from academic teacher education with those of a sample of first-semester teacher students. Results indicate higher scores for graduates in the majority of the test’s six domains. Additionally, we gained validity evidence based on response processes by conducting 46 cognitive interviews in Study 2. Participants with different professional backgrounds stated their response strategies while taking the knowledge test. Among other results, analyses revealed that graduates and advanced students in teacher education were often familiar with item topics and solved items mostly by retrieving academic knowledge from memory. Overall, results add to previously gained evidence suggesting that test scores can be taken to measure EK mainly gained by university studies.