Beyond Words, Across Borders: A Pictorial SES Instrument Validated for Diverse Global Contexts

• In Event: AER Roundtable Session Friday 1:45 pm - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: Crisis as a Catalyst in International Education

Abstract

Traditional SES measures frequently fail to account for the realities of pre-literate and culturally diverse populations, potentially leading to misclassification and underrepresentation in research. This study provides a preliminary psychometric analysis of an innovative pictorial, digital SES instrument designed to address this gap. Utilizing Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (n=1,120), the instrument demonstrated strong reliability, construct validity, and convergent validity. Crucially, measurement invariance was successfully established across three languages—Bangla, French, and Zulu—demonstrating the instrument’s cross-linguistic equivalence. These findings provide a robust, accessible tool for equitable SES assessment, enabling valid international comparisons and fostering more inclusive research into socioeconomic factors influencing global educational outcomes. This work aims to open new methodological avenues for the broader research community.

Authors

• Boshi Wang, Georgia State University

• Audrey J. Leroux, Georgia Institute of Technology

• Niyati Malhotra, World Bank

• Tomas Koutecky, World Bank

• Stephanie Gottwald, Curious Learning

• Tinsley Galyean, Curious Learning