A Rasch Analysis of Teachers' Use of School Discipline Techniques Survey: Perceptions of Teachers and Students

• In Event: Application of the Rasch Model

Abstract

School disciplinary techniques have received much attention in promoting positive school climate over the last ten years. However, most studies examined the disciplinary problems unilaterally by teachers’ ratings without students’ perceptions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the willingness of teachers and students to endorse the Use of Discipline Techniques Survey (UDTS) items and compare the difference between their responses to the same item. A Rasch analysis was conducted on a sample of 2,195 students and 390 teachers in elementary schools. The results showed good internal consistency and model fit of UDTS. The item map indicated the discrepancies of teachers and students’ perceptions, especially for the punitive techniques. Implications for discipline practices in elementary schools are discussed.

Authors

• Dandan Chen, University of Delaware

• Ratna Nandakumar, University of Delaware