Elementary School Student Engagement Scale Inferred by Teachers

Abstract

Evaluating school engagement is crucial to identifying students at risk of dropping out and monitoring academic progress. The aim of this study was to develop and obtain evidence of validity for a Student School Engagement Scale Inferred by Teachers (EEAE-IP). The study included 488 students from the 2nd to the 5th year of elementary school in Minas Gerais. The EEAE-IP presents good psychometric properties, with Confirmatory Factor Analysis attesting to the four-factor model (behavioral, cognitive, affective and agent). Evidence of the scale’s internal consistency was good with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.92 and the inter-rater reliability suggests that the construct is assessed in the same way by different observers. The EEAE-IP is quick to apply and uses the teacher as an informant. Further studies that provide data for validity in other populations were suggested. This study reinforces the role of the EEAE-IP in future psychoeducational research.

Keywords:
educational psychology; classroom behavior; psychological assessment