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Examining the BASC-3 BESS Parent Form-Preschool Using Rasch Methodology
Christine DiStefano1, Fred W Greer1, Erin Dowdy2
11 University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
Assessment
|August 4, 2017
Summary
This study validated the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Third Edition Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BASC-3 BESS) for identifying preschoolers at risk for emotional and behavioral problems. The screener effectively identified at-risk behaviors, though adaptive skills items were less contributory.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Psychometrics
- Educational Assessment
Background:
- Early identification of emotional and behavioral problems in preschoolers is crucial for timely intervention.
- The Behavior Assessment System for Children-Third Edition Behavioral and Emotional Screening System, Parent Form-Preschool (BASC-3 BESS) is a widely used tool for this purpose.
- Understanding the psychometric properties of such screeners is essential for accurate risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychometric properties of the BASC-3 BESS using Rasch rating scale methods.
- To investigate the screener's structure, scale performance, and construct coverage for identifying at-risk behaviors in preschoolers.
- To examine potential differential item functioning based on child gender and race/ethnicity.
Main Methods:
- Rasch rating scale analysis was applied to the norming sample of 459 children.
- The study examined item fit, scale performance, and coverage of the maladaptive behavior construct.
- Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis was conducted for gender and race/ethnicity.
Main Results:
- Most items demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model, indicating sound psychometric properties.
- The screener effectively covered the latent domain of behavioral and emotional problems, with internalizing and externalizing items being particularly indicative of risk.
- Adaptive skills items contributed minimally to risk status assessment. No DIF was found for gender, but some items showed DIF between Caucasian and Hispanic or African American students.
Conclusions:
- The BASC-3 BESS is a psychometrically sound instrument for identifying preschoolers at risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties.
- The findings support the use of the screener, particularly its focus on internalizing and externalizing problems.
- Attention should be paid to potential racial/ethnic biases in specific items to ensure equitable assessment.
