Multi-informant universal screening: Evaluation of rater, item, and construct variance using a trifactor model

Universal screening is a proactive method for identifying student risk, yet remains under-utilized in school systems. Instead, many schools rely on teacher reports and referrals without accounting for different informant perspectives. In the current study, multi-informant universal screening in evaluated using a trifactor model. The study utilized the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS), specifically the teacher (SAEBRS-TRS) and student (mySAEBRS) self-report forms, with items indicating risk for social, academic, and emotional behavior. Data from a national sample of over 24,000 K-12 teacher-student dyads were used to examine the extent and variance of discrepant reports between students and teachers of common, perspective, and item factors. Results demonstrated that informant perspective factors were a strong predictor for student and teacher emotional behavior item ratings. Whereas age had a positive effect on younger student reports of risk on the behavior items compared to older student reports, teachers showed the opposite effect. The teacherperspective of social and emotional behaviors of students was predicted by gender. Implications and directions for future research are further discussed.