Appendix I. Normative and Psychometric Properties of the Multi-Site Evaluation Instruments
Measure |
Construct |
Respondent |
General Description |
Psychometrics |
Samples Tested |
Reference(s) |
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Normative Beliefs About Aggression |
Attitudes about aggression |
Child |
Measures children's beliefs about the acceptability of aggression (beliefs about retaliation aggression and aggression in general) |
Internal consistency = .90, One year stability = .39; Relates to expression of aggression; Predicts aggression over time |
Elementary school children and older; Urban African American, Hispanic, and white; Used in Resolving Conflict Creatively and MACS evaluations |
Huesmann, L.R., & Guerra, N.G. (1997). Children's normative beliefs about aggression and aggressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72, 408-419. |
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Children's Self-Efficacy for Peer Interaction Scale |
Self-efficacy |
Child |
Taps children's evaluations of their ability to perform a verbal or persuasive prosocial skills in conflict and nonconflict peer interactions |
Internal consistency = .85 (.85 for conflict, .73 for nonconflict); Test-retest reliability .90 for boys and .80 for girls; Correlates with anxiety, general self-concept |
Middle-class 3rd-5th graders |
Wheeler, V. A., & Ladd, G. W. (1982). Assessment of children's self-efficacy for social interactions with peers. Developmental Psychology, 18, 795-805. |
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Children's Empathy Questionnaire |
Empathy |
Child |
Taps children's empathic response to hypothetical actual and anticipated events |
Internal consistency of reactive empathy = .72; anticipated empathy = .73; Negatively correlates with attitudes toward violence |
African American, Hispanic, and White 4th to 6th graders in a mid-size city |
Funk, J., Elliott, R., Bechtoldt, H., Pasold, T., & Tsavoussis, A. (2003). The Attitudes Toward Violence Scale: Child version. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18, 186-196. |
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Engagement versus Disaffection with Learning |
School engagement |
Child |
Assesses behavioral and emotional engagement in the classroom; perceptions of effort, attention, and persistence while initiating and sustaining learning activities |
Internal consistency = .75 (behavioral engagement) to .86 (emotional engagement); Correlates with a sense of belonging or relatedness to teachers and classmates, academic performance, and perceived control over academic success |
3rd through 6th grade students in a middle-class, suburban-rural school district; African American, Latino, and white students |
Furrer, C., & Skinner, E. (2003). Sense of relatedness as a factor in children's academic engagement and performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 148-162. |
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Sense of School as a Community Scale; Child Version |
School connectedness |
Child and School Staff |
Assesses the quality of social relationships among students and school personnel |
Internal consistency = .91 |
3rd through 5th grade students in diverse school districts with diverse student populations |
Roberts, W., Horn, A., & Battistich, V. (1995, April). Assessing students' and teachers' sense of the school as a caring community. Paper presentation at the meeting of the American Educational Research Association. |
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Feelings of Safety at School |
Feelings of safety at school |
Child and Teacher |
Assesses children's feelings of safety at and on the way to/from school, and the degree to which these feelings affect behavior at school |
No internal consistency or validity information; Scale constructed by IES/CDC staff based on several instruments |
Instruments measure is based on have been used with elementary school students |
IES/CDC |
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Aggression Scale |
Children's aggressive behavior |
Child |
Measures children's verbal and physical aggression |
Internal consistency = .87; High stability over time; Correlates with predictors of violence |
Middle school students |
Orpinas, P., & Frankowski, R. (2001). The Aggression Scale: A self-report measure of aggressive behavior for young adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 21, 50-67. |
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Frequency of Delinquent Behavior |
Minor Delinquency |
Child |
Assesses how often children engage in delinquent behavior (e.g., theft, vandalism) |
One year stability = .71; Correlates with peer nominated aggression |
Middle school students |
Loeber, R., & Dishion, T.J. (1983). Early predictors of male delinquency: A review. Psychological Bulletin, 94, 325-382 |
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Victimization |
Victimization in school |
Child |
Measures the frequency of being teased, pushed, or threatened at school |
Internal consistency = .85; Correlates with the aggression scale |
Middle school students |
Orpinas, P., & Kelder, S. (1995). Students for Peace Project: Second student evaluation. Unpublished Manuscript. Houston, TX: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health. |
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BASC Aggression Subscale; Parent Report |
Children's aggressive behavior |
Primary Caregiver |
Measures children's verbal and physical aggression |
Internal consistency = .83; Test-retest reliability = .84; Correlates with CBCL and Conners' Parent Rating Scales |
Ages 6-11; normative sample |
Reynolds, C.R., & Kamphaus, R.W. (1998). Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service Inc. |
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BASC Conduct Problems Subscale; Parent Report |
Children's conduct problems |
Primary Caregiver |
Measures socially deviant and disruptive behaviors that are characteristic of conduct disorder |
Internal consistency = .82; Test-retest reliability = .92; Correlates with CBCL externalizing subscale; Differentiates clinical and nonclinical samples |
Ages 6-11; normative sample |
Reynolds, C.R., & Kamphaus, R.W. (1998). Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service Inc. |
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Community Risks |
Community risk |
Primary Caregiver |
Measures the degree to which community risk factors are present in the child's neighborhood (e.g., presence of trash, noise, crime) |
Internal consistency = .89 |
Urban families; African American; Urban and Rural; Greater community risks in urban areas; Correlates with psychosocial adjustment |
Forehand, R., Brody, G.H., Armistead, L. et al. (2000). The role of community risks and resources in the psychosocial adjustment of at-risk children: An examination across two community contexts and two informants. Behavior Therapy, 13, 395-414. |
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Community Protective Factors |
Community resources |
Primary Caregiver |
Assess the degree to which resources are available in the neighborhood |
No internal consistency or validity information; scale constructed by IES/CDC |
None |
IES/CDC |
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Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale |
Environmental confusion |
Primary Caregiver |
Assesses the degree of unwanted stimulation in the home (e.g., noise, crowding, and traffic patterns) |
Internal consistency = .79; Test-retest reliability = .74; Negatively correlates with SES and parent education level; Correlates with young children's social and cognitive development |
Used with African American and white families |
Matheny, A.P., Wachs, T.D., Ludwig, J.L., & Phillips, K. (1995). Bringing order out of chaos: Psychometric characteristics of the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 16, 429-444. |
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Alabama Parenting Questionnaire |
Positive parenting and supervision/ monitoring |
Primary Caregiver |
Assesses the degree to which a parent supports the child and rewards him/her with praise; Indicates the degree of monitoring and supervision of the child |
Internal consistency = .75 (Monitoring) to .85 (Positive parenting) |
Used with clinical and nonclinical samples; Ethnically diverse; Varying SES levels; Single and dual parent households |
Shelton, K.K., Frick, P.J., & Wootton, J. (1996). Assessment of parenting practices in families of elementary school-age children. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 25, 317-329. |
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Altruistic Behavior |
Child’s prosocial behavior |
Primary Caregiver, Teacher, and child |
Assesses the child’s propensity to perform acts of caring and helping. |
Internal consistency = .82 |
Used with a diverse population of elementary school children. |
Soloman, D., Battistich, V., Watson, M. Schaps, E., & Lewis, C. (2000). A six-district study of educational change: Direct and mediating effects of the Child Development Project. Social Psychology of Education, 4, 3-51. |
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Child-Centered Social Control and Intergenerational Closure |
Social capital in the community |
Primary Caregiver |
Assesses child-centered behavior that illustrates social cohesion and neighborhood control; support of neighborhood children by adults |
Child-Centered Social Control internal consistency = .72; Intergenerational Closure = .74; Related to social capital oriented neighborhood services; Lower in disadvantaged, residentially unstable, high-density areas |
Used with ethnically diverse samples, varying social class |
Sampson, R.J., Morenoff, J.D., & Earls, F. (1999). Beyond social capital: Spatial dynamics of colective efficacy for children. American Sociological Review, 64, 633-660. |
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Background Questionnaire |
Demographics |
Primary Caregiver |
Gathers demographic data. |
N/A |
Used with ethnically diverse samples, varying social class |
CDC |
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Social Competence |
Child's self-regulation, cooperation, and prosocial behavior |
Primary Caregiver and Teacher |
Assesses emotional and behavioral regulation, prosocial behavior, and cooperative behaviors, such as sharing materials or complying with rules and directions |
Internal consistency = .87 |
Urban and rural elementary school children, grades 1-6; High risk sample |
Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group (1999). Initial impact of the Fast Track prevention trial for conduct problems I: The high-risk sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 631-647. |
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Responsibility Scale |
Child's responsibility |
Primary Caregiver and Teacher |
Measures the degree to which children take responsibility for their own actions |
No internal consistency or validity information; Scale constructed by IES/CDC |
Some items used to build scale have been tested with elementary school students |
IES/CDC |
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Parent and Teacher Involvement Measure; Parent and Teacher Report |
Parent involvement in the child's school life |
Primary Caregiver and Teacher |
Measures the degree to which parents interact with teachers and school staff, participate in school activities, attend school events, are involved in their children’s academic lives (help with homework, stress the importance of learning); and feel welcomed at the school |
Internal consistency = .77 (Freq of parent-teacher contact); .90 (Qual of relationship between parent and teacher); .78 (Parent involvement with school); .92 (Parent endorsement of child school); Correlates with degree of risk |
Elementary school students; high risk and normative sample |
CPPRG (1991). Parent-Teacher Involvement Measure - Parent. (Online). Available: http://www.fasttrackproject.org/ |
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BASC Aggression Subscale; Teacher Report |
Children's aggressive behavior |
Teacher |
Assesses children's verbal and physical aggression |
Internal consistency = .95; Test-retest reliability = .91; Correlates with TRF (Achenbach) |
Ages 6-11; normative sample |
Reynolds, C.R., & Kamphaus, R.W. (1998). Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service Inc. |
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BASC Conduct Problems Subscale; Teacher Report |
Children's conduct problems |
Teacher |
Measures socially deviant and disruptive behaviors that are characteristic of conduct disorder |
Internal consistency = .77; Test-retest reliability = .80; Correlates with TRF (Achenbach) |
Ages 6-11; normative sample |
Reynolds, C.R., & Kamphaus, R.W. (1998). Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service Inc. |
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IOWA-Conners Rating Scale |
ADHD symptomology |
Teacher |
Measures children's behavior that is symptomatic of ADHD (e.g., inattentive or distractible, excitable or impulsive) |
Alpha = .89 to .92 for IO and OD subscales; Correlation between IO and OD subscales = .62; Girls obtain lower scores; Older children obtain lower scores; Similar factor structure across ethnic groups |
Boys and girls K-5; European American and African American samples |
Loney, J., & Milich, R. (1982). Hyperactivity, inattention, and aggression in clinical practice. In K. Gadow & I. Bailer (Eds.), Advances in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics, Vol. 3, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press. Pelham, W.E. Jr., Milich, R., Murphy, D.A., & Murphy, H.A. (1989). Normative data on the IOWA Conners TRS. Journal of Child Clinical Psychology, 18, 259-262. Reid et al. (2001). Using behavior rating scales for ADHD across ethnic groups: The IOWA Conners. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 9, 210-219. |
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SSRS Academic Competence and Achenbach’s Teacher Report Form (TRF) |
Academic competence |
Teacher |
Measures a student’s academic performance relative to grade-level expectations in various achievement areas (e.g., reading, math) |
SSRS - Internal consistency = .96; Test-retest reliability = .93; Negatively correlates with problem behaviors TRF – Internal consistency range = .72 to .95; Test-retest reliability range = .62 to .96. |
SSRS - Grades K-6; normative sample
TRF – diverse sample of 2,319 children. |
Gresham, F.M., & Elliott, S.N. (1990). Social Skills Rating System. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service. Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the teacher's report form and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry. |
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Teacher Survey on Professional Development and Training |
Demographics and teaching experience |
Teacher and School Staff |
Gathers background information on teachers, including demographics, certification, teaching experience, and professional development |
N/A |
Nationally representative sample |
Lewis, L. et al. (1999). U.S. Department of Education. National Center for Education Statistics. Teacher Quality: A Report on the Preparation and Qualifications of Public School Teachers. |
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School-Level Environment Questionnaire |
School Organizational Climate |
School Staff |
Measures the degree to which teachers and school staff are supported and valued by administration officials; are provided adequate resources for carrying out their duties; are autonomous in managing their own activities; are collegial with one another and school leadership; and have a voice in school policy decisions |
Internal consistency = .82 for full scale; Affiliation = .84, Student Support = .85, Professional Interest = .81, Staff Freedom = .64, Participatory Decision Making = .82, Innovation = .81, Resource Adequacy = .65; No reliability information yet for work pressure scale; Preliminary evidence that it differentiates different types of schools; Case study suggests scale is sensitive enough to pick up change post-intervention |
Elementary school teachers; Developed in Australia |
Rentoul, A.J., & Fraser, B.J. (1983). Development of a school-level environment questionnaire. Journal of Educational Administration, 21, 21-39. Fisher, D. L., & Fraser, B. J. (1991). Validity and use of school environment instruments. Journal of Classroom Interaction, 26, 13-18. |
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SACD-Activities Observation |
Extent and nature of SACD-relevant displays and artifacts in the school |
None (observation) |
Presence and nature of SACD-relevant displays or artifacts in various school locations |
N/A |
None |
IES/CDC |
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SACD-Activities Principal Interview |
School-wide SACD activities and policies |
School principal |
School-wide activities related to SACD, including decision-making and cross-grade-level work; school wide policies an programs with a specific focus on social and character development |
N/A |
None |
IES/CDC |
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SACD-Activities Teacher Survey |
Classroom and school-wide SACD activities and strategies; professional training in SACD areas |
School Staff |
Classroom activities and strategies related to social and character development; approaches to classroom management and instruction; school-wide SACD activities; professional development |
N/A |
None |
IES/CDC |
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School Records |
School- and student-level academic and behavioral outcomes |
None (records) |
School-level: student demographics, test scores, school characteristics, and behavioral indicators Student-level: demographics, grades, test scores, awards, and behavioral indicators |
N/A |
None |
IES/CDC; School and District Availability |
N/A = not available.
File Type | application/msword |
File Title | MEMORANDUM |
Author | Melissa Miller |
Last Modified By | DoED |
File Modified | 2006-12-20 |
File Created | 2006-12-20 |