Grit and Disability: Measurement Invariance and Achievement Effects in a Sample of Adolescents

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Current Topics in Special Education Poster Session

Abstract

Very little is known about the relationship between Grit and disability among adolescents, despite the mainstream popularity of the construct. In this study, we examine measurement invariance of the Grit scale in a sample of adolescents with and without disabilities (n = 5039). Findings show the scale is invariant across groups, allowing the opportunity to compare these groups with respect to their latent parameters. Further, the effect of Grit on grade point average was significant and did not differ across students with and without disabilities. Implications for practice suggest use of the scale in school-wide data collection efforts that might be driven by college and career readiness initiatives that emphasize measuring non-cognitive skills in all students, with and without disabilities.

Authors

• Allison Lombardi, University of Connecticut

• Graham Gilbert Rifenbark, University of Connecticut

• Jennifer Freeman