Measuring approaches to learning in preschoolers: validating the structure of an instrument for teachers and parents. Issue 6 (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barbu, Otilia C.; Marx, Ronald W.; Yaden, David B.; Levine-Donnerstein, Deborah
• Is Part Of: Education 3-13. Volume 44:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 698
• Page End: 714
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: approaches to learning -- readiness -- EFA -- CFA -- structural validity; Education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Education, Primary -- Periodicals; Education, Elementary -- Periodicals; 372.942
• DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2015.1024273
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-4279

Abstract

Abstract : This study examined a 13-item instrument measuring approaches to learning (AtL) as a component of school readiness in the context of early childhood socio-emotional development. Few instruments, limited to preschool teacher ratings, measure AtL among kindergarteners with short easy-to-use questionnaires. We investigated psychometric properties of the instrument designed to provide practical measures of AtL behaviours identified in the Arizona Early Learning Standards with teacher ( n = 205) and guardian ( n = 1025) samples. We found a one-factor structure via exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The multi-group CFA for combined teacher and guardian models indicated a good fit, which demonstrated the structure validity of the AtL instrument. This finding, combined with evidence of reliability of the instrument, supported the educational utility of the AtL as a new tool for measuring school readiness among kindergarteners in Arizona.