This study investigated potential item bias in a large-scale grade 3 reading achievement test, specifically against culturally diverse students with limited familiarity with mainstream Canadian culture. Students were classified based on their first language and length of residence in Canada, which was used as a proxy for cultural familiarity. A…

Many schools now screen students for dyslexia in early grades. However, there are valid concerns that these screeners may be biased or ineffective at screening students who are not yet proficient in English (i.e., English Learners; ELs). The present study examined the performance of 54 first graders on a dyslexia screener. Results showed that…

Technologies that enable individualization for students have significant potential in special education. Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) refers to digital assessments that automatically adjust their difficulty level based on students' abilities, allowing for personalized, efficient, and accurate measurement. This article examines whether CAT…

Researchers in educational measurement use Differential Item Functioning (DIF) to examine whether test items are functioning uniquely across subgroups of test participants while taking into account their ability level. DIF is essential for test validity arguments, thus making it a necessary part of validity studies. This study examines DIF across…

Little is known about mismatches between the language of mathematics testing instruments and the rich linguistic repertoires that African American children develop at home and in the community. The current study aims to provide a proof of concept and novel explanatory item response design that uses error analysis to investigate the relationship…

In this report, we perform an analysis of kindergarten readiness in Illinois and relate it to students' third grade academic achievement. We study two cohorts of Illinois kindergarteners and follow them into third grade using data provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). We summarize our key findings below: (1) Disparities appear…

Emotion recognition (ER) involves understanding what others are feeling by interpreting nonverbal behavior, including facial expressions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of a web-based social ER assessment designed for children in kindergarten through third grade. Data were collected from two separate samples…

This study reports an independent investigation of the psychometric properties of Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), a teacher-rated measure of school readiness for preschool-aged children. In a sample of 2,031 low-income, 3- to 5-year-old children attending Head Start, we tested three measurement models: a higher order one-factor…

Research Findings: Universal screening practices that utilize reliable and valid screening measures are vital for identifying social-emotional and behavioral (SEB) concerns for students at-risk for future behavioral and academic difficulties. Screening procedures implemented at the start of kindergarten can result in early identification and…

Background: The self-concept of children has an impact on later behavioural development and psychopathology; therefore, evidence of the accurate measurement of self-concept is important. Harter and Pike's (1984, "Child Development," 55, 1969) commonly used measure of self-concept, the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social…

Emotion recognition (ER) involves understanding what others are feeling by interpreting nonverbal behavior, including facial expressions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of a web-based social ER assessment designed for children in kindergarten through third grade. Data were collected from two separate samples…

This study reports an independent investigation of the psychometric properties of Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), a teacher-rated measure of school readiness for preschool-aged children. In a sample of 2,031 low-income, 3- to 5-year-old children attending Head Start, we tested three measurement models: a higher order one-factor…

We examined dynamic assessment's (DA's) added value over traditional assessments for identifying Spanish-speaking English learners' (ELs) risk for developing mathematics disabilities, as a function of the language of test administration (English vs. Spanish), type of math outcome, and EL's language dominance. At the start of first grade, ELs (N =…

The objective of this study was to examine the construct validity and bias of a child health interview (CHI) instrument to assess young children's food and activity preferences. A quantitative study examining the construct validity and bias of a young child health interview instrument using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group CFA…

We examined dynamic assessment's (DA's) added value over traditional assessments for identifying Spanish-speaking English learners' (ELs') risk for developing mathematics disabilities, as a function of the language of test administration (English vs. Spanish), type of math outcome, and EL's language dominance. At the start of 1st grade, ELs (N =…