ERIC Number: EJ1036920
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Validation of the Preschool Child Observation Record: Does It Pass the Test for Use in Head Start?
Barghaus, Katherine M.; Fantuzzo, John W.
Early Education and Development, v25 n8 p1118-1141 2014
Research Findings: This study provides the first independent investigation of the second most widely used multidimensional assessment in Head Start--the Preschool Child Observation Record, Second Edition (COR-2). We conducted a comprehensive investigation into the validity of the COR-2 using data from all children in an urban school district's Head Start program (N = 4,071). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a misfit between the 6 developer-defined categories and the data. Although exploratory analyses revealed a possible 4-factor solution, subsequent analyses indicated problems with this structure as well. Item response theory methods were used to determine whether there was support for the 5-point response scale of each item representing an appropriately sequenced set of skill points. Results indicated that nearly half of the COR-2 items had reversed or poorly spaced thresholds, suggesting potential problems with these items' functioning. Practice or Policy: Specific implications of the findings for the further development of the COR-2 in terms of its constructs and items as well as general implications for early childhood assessment are discussed.
Descriptors: Observation, Federal Programs, Preschool Education, Validity, Urban Schools, Factor Analysis, Item Response Theory, School Readiness, Measures (Individuals), School District Size, Data, Goodness of Fit, Correlation, Low Income Groups
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education; Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED); Administration for Children and Families (DHHS), Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305B090015; 90YE0138
Author Affiliations: N/A