Research Findings: Recent evidence suggests that children benefit from pre-K programs in terms of both academic and social skills this growth is predicted by the quality interactions teachers have with students. Prior cluster analysis revealed 5 distinct profiles teacher–child pre-kindergarten based on classroom observations 692 teachers. In present study, links between these children's (n = 2,028) competence were examined using multilevel modeling techniques. Results indicate students...

This study examined whether characteristics of a positive school climate were associated with lower student risk behavior in sample 3,687 high students who completed the School Climate Bullying Survey and questions about from Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS). Confirmatory factor analyses established fit for 20 items three hypothesized scales measuring (1) prevalence bullying teasing; (2) aggressive attitudes; (3) willingness to seek help. Structural equation modeling relationship...

.The School Climate Bullying Survey (Cornell & Sheras, 2003) is a self-report survey used to measure attitudes and behaviors associated with school bullying. Two studies were conducted examine the valid use of its three climate scales: (a) Prevalence Teasing Bullying, (b) Aggressive Attitudes, (c) Willingness Seek Help. In Study 1, exploratory confirmatory factor analyses performed sample 2,111 students from four middle schools established reasonable fit for 20 items their hypothesized...

This study tested the theory that an authoritative school climate characterized by disciplinary structure and student support is conducive to positive academic outcomes for middle high students. Multilevel multivariate modeling at levels was conducted using surveys completed statewide samples of 39,364 students in Grades 7 8 423 schools 48,027 9 through 12 323 schools. Consistent with theory, both higher were associated engagement school, course grades, educational aspirations level samples....

The Authoritative School Climate Survey was designed to provide schools with a brief assessment of 2 key characteristics school climate--disciplinary structure and student support--that are hypothesized influence important climate outcomes--student engagement prevalence teasing bullying in school. factor these 4 constructs examined exploratory confirmatory analyses statewide sample 39,364 students (Grades 7 8) attending 423 schools. Notably, the used multilevel structural approach model...

School climate is widely recognized as an important influence on peer victimization in schools. The purpose of this study to examine how authoritative school theory provides a framework for conceptualizing 2 key features climate—disciplinary structure and student support—that are associated with 3 measures victimization. Multilevel multivariate modeling statewide sample 39,364 7th- 8th-grade students attending 423 schools revealed meaningful associations at both the levels analysis. Higher...

This study tested the authoritative school climate theory that schools characterized by high structure and student support have greater levels of engagement these factors are associated with higher academic achievement, as indicated graduation rates performance on state-mandated testing. The model was through a multilevel multi-informant structural statewide sample 60,441 students 11,442 teachers in 298 schools. Consistent model, both were Moreover, directly achievement operated an...

ABSTRACT Although behavioral threat assessment and management (often shortened to “threat assessment”) has become widely used in US schools, no studies have systematically examined how frequently schools conduct assessments rates vary as a function of student school demographics. Of particular concern is that students with disabilities receive at disproportionately high rates. This study the 1‐year frequency statewide sample 611 elementary, 341 middle, 269 reporting 15,301 assessments, which...

Abstract School readiness assessment is a prominent feature of early childhood education. Because the construct multifaceted, we examined children's patterns on multiple indicators previously found to be both theoretically and empirically linked school readiness: social skill, interactions with parents, problem behavior, performance tests cognition attention. Multistage cluster analysis independent replications was used identify normative profiles in sample 964 typically developing...

The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI; Psychological Corporation, 1999) and the Wide Range Test (WRIT

This study employed observed factor index scores as well latent ability constructs from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Fourth Edition (WISC-IV; Wechsler, 2003) in estimating reading and mathematics achievement on Individual Achievement Test—Second (WIAT-II; 2002). Participants were nationally stratified linking sample ( N = 498) of WISC-IV WIAT-II. Observed analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Although provided a statistically significant increment over...

In 2 studies, we examined the use of validity screening items in adolescent survey data. each study, respondents were asked whether they telling truth and paying attention answering questions. Study 1 (N = 7,801), prevalence rates student risk behaviors significantly lower after inappropriate (invalid) responders screened out sample. addition, confirmatory multigroup factor analyses demonstrated significant differences between structures school climate scales with valid versus invalid...

Vocabulary knowledge at school entry is a robust predictor of later reading achievement. Many children begin formal instruction significant disadvantage due to low levels vocabulary. Until recently, relatively few research studies examined the efficacy vocabulary interventions for in early primary grades (e.g., before fourth grade), and even fewer addressed intervention students increased risk failure. In more recent work, researchers have begun explore ways which diminish “meaningful...

This study tested the association between school-wide measures of an authoritative school climate and high dropout rates in a statewide sample 315 schools. Regression models at level analysis used teacher student disciplinary structure, support, academic expectations to predict overall rates. Analyses controlled for demographics enrollment size, percentage low-income students, minority urbanicity. Consistent with theory, moderation analyses found that when students perceive their teachers as...

School climate has been linked to a variety of positive student outcomes, but there may be important within-school differences among students in their experiences school climate. This study examined heterogeneity 47,631 high ratings through multilevel latent class modeling. Student profiles across 323 schools were generated on the basis multiple indicators climate: disciplinary structure, academic expectations, willingness seek help, respect for students, affective and cognitive engagement,...

The overuse of school suspensions has been linked to a host negative outcomes, including racial disparities in discipline. School climate initiatives have shown promise reducing these disparities. present study used the Authoritative Climate Survey—which measures disciplinary structure and student support as key climate—to investigate an association between teacher perceptions suspension rates statewide sample middle schools. Regression analyses controlling for school-level poverty size...

The purposes of this study were to investigate the reliability and construct validity measures reading component skills with a sample adult basic education (ABE) learners, including both native nonnative English speakers, describe performance those learners on measures. Investigation components is needed because available neither developed for nor normed ABE populations or speakers English. included 486 students, 334 born educated in United States (native) 152 not (nonnative) but who spoke...

Informant-based systems of assessment are common platforms for measuring a variety educational and psychological constructs where the use multiple informants is considered best practice. In many instances, structurally different informant types (e.g., students teachers) solicited on basis their unique roles with target measurement. The provides an opportunity to evaluate degree which obtained ratings influenced by trait focus extraneous sources that can be attributed rater. Data from...