Using Rasch Methodology to Identify Maximally Efficient Items from the Student Risk Screening Scale

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Applications of the Rasch Model in Education

Abstract

When identifying students struggling with social-emotional/behavioral risk, school-wide screening is often an initial step. As forms are typically completed by classroom teacher, it is imperative that forms are short and easy to use, while providing maximum amount of information. This study examines the Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS) with Rasch methodology to identify a set of maximum efficient items. Using test information and item information functions, a smaller set of items were retained which was able to report a similar amount of information as noted by the original scale. Predictive validity estimates showing that the latent scores on the revised SRSS were related with academic indices when externalizing risk was considered; no significant relationships were identified with internalizing problems.

Authors

• Christine DiStefano, University of South Carolina

• Ruiqin Gao, University of South Carolina

• Fred Greer, University of South Carolina

• Fang Wang, University of South Carolina

• Huijuan Wang, University of South Carolina