ERIC Number: EJ1449859
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Dec
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1866-2625
EISSN: EISSN-1866-2633
Validity Evidence for the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale--3: Factor Analysis and Measurement Invariance across Race and Ethnicity
Matthew C. Lambert; Jorge E. Gonzalez
School Mental Health, v16 n4 p1082-1093 2024
Over the past several decades, the education, mental health, and social service fields have witnessed a significant shift in the focus of assessment of children moving from a solely deficit-based approach to a model incorporating strengths and competencies, which has been referred to as strength-based assessment. The "Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale" (BERS) is one of the first and most widely used strength-based assessments of behavioral and emotional functioning. While the BERS is widely used and researched, there is limited evidence supporting validity of test scores based on the internal structure or measurement invariance. The present study examined validity evidence based on internal structure and measurement invariance across White, Black, and Hispanic students for the BERS-3 Teacher Rating Scale using a national sample of 1,965 school-aged students. Results indicated empirical support for the hypothesized correlated factors structure as well as a bifactor structure with a strong general factor. Measurement invariance was also established for the correlated factors and bifactor CFA models, indicating that the scores consistently measured emotional and behavioral strength constructs across the three student groups, scores were comparable between groups, and scores were comparable to the same set of normative standards. Because of the test's emphasis on strengths and invariant measurement across groups, implications for students of color are discussed.
Descriptors: Emotional Response, Behavior, Test Validity, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, White Students, African American Students, Hispanic American Students, Behavior Rating Scales, Student Behavior, Student Characteristics
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A