Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the Preschool Child Observation Record

• In Event: 30.052 - Early Childhood Program Quality and Assessment

Abstract

The Preschool Child Observation Record (OnlineCOR, High/Scope, 2003) is an assessment tool designed to monitor the developmental progress of children ages 3 to 6 years. The current study is designed to add psychometric information on this tool, by examining longitudinal measurement invariance (MI) for the OnlineCOR, through confirmatory factor analysis and the item response theory approaches, using a Mideast state sample with four seasons of OnlineCOR observations. The psychometric properties, including the number of latent factors, item-factor loading, and item location and slope estimates, will be identified by using the first data season as the baseline. Longitudinal MI tests will indicate if the psychometric properties found in the baseline models are invariant across all four seasons.

Authors

• Zijia Li, Rutgers University

• Caroline Gooden, University of Kentucky

• Michael Toland, University of Kentucky