Applying the Rasch Model to Measure Item Change in Community College Survey of Student Engagement

• In Event: Rasch Analysis and Educational Measurement

Abstract

The Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) was developed to measure student engagement in community colleges. Its data helps to evaluate student engagement and educational practices within these institutions. However, with changes in student demographics and educational policies, there is a need to assess the survey's properties for measurement consistency. Therefore, this study aims to use the racking and stacking Rasch model to evaluate the CCSSE across two survey administrations and assess item stability over time. The study will analyze data collected from students in the 2019 and 2022 cohorts and assess its item difficulty and discrimination parameters, construct item-person maps, and examine differential item functioning (DIF). This will help identify significant changes in measurement properties across survey administrations and establish the instrument's stability. Importantly, the findings of this study have the potential to significantly enhance the survey’s effectiveness in measuring student engagement within community college settings, thereby contributing to the improvement of educational practices.

Author

• Olukemi Kolawole, University of Kentucky