The study examined the types of explanations students provide for fraction magnitude problems. Student responses were coded into one of five explanation types: (a) absent, (b) faulty, (c) conceptual-partially developed, (d) algorithmic, and (e) conceptual-fully developed. When examining latent classes specific to students’ explanations of their knowledge of fraction magnitude, a five-class model was the most tenable, conveying the presence of five distinct student profiles. The algorithmic class represented the largest percentage of student explanations and also revealed the strongest correlation with criterion measures. A combined algorithmic-conceptual class was not identified.

The ADHD Rating Scale is widely used to assess ADHD in the United States, and psychometrically sound. However, when assessments are translated into other languages, it is necessary to re-examine psychometrics. This study aimed to analyze the factor structure, test measurement invariance, and provide normative data for an adaptation of the ADHD Rating Scale in Saudi Arabia using parent ratings of 3,127 youth and teacher ratings of 2,595 students. Outcomes corroborate the validity of the two-factor correlated model for both parent and teacher ratings, and the measurement invariance among age and gender groups. The adapted ADHD Rating Scale is suitable for assessing the ADHD symptomology of youth in Saudi Arabia using the normative standards developed in this study.

This study investigated stability and changes in primary school students' (N = 345) profiles of self-regulatory efficacy sources including mastery and vicarious experience, social persuasion, and psychological and emotional arousal within one school year, and how profile memberships associate with gender, support for learning, and self-regulatory efficacy. Latent profile and transition analyses identified four profiles among students: Highly positive, Average, Stressed, and Highly positive but stressed. All profiles showed stability during the school year, yet some students transitioned into more maladaptive profiles. Gender was significantly associated with some profile memberships and transitions, while support for learning was not. Students who remained Highly positive showed higher self-regulatory efficacy, while students remaining in profiles showing stress reported lower levels of self-regulatory efficacy. Additionally, transitioning to a more maladaptive profile within the school year was related to lower self-regulatory efficacy. Educational relevance and implications statement: This study identified four different profiles among primary school students based on their self-regulatory efficacy sources: Highly positive, Average, Stressed, and Highly positive but stressed. Most students showed a positive combination of self-regulatory efficacy sources, but some students' profiles were more maladaptive, characterized by relatively high levels of stress. While most of the students remained in their initial profile during the school year, some transitions into maladaptive profiles did occur. These stabilities and transitions, in general, predicted students' self-regulatory efficacy, so that students showing more positive and stable profiles reported higher self-regulatory efficacy, whereas students belonging or transitioning to more stressed profiles reported lower self-regulatory efficacy. These findings suggest that experiencing stress may be harmful for student's self-efficacy, even when they otherwise have positive bases (that is, sources) for self-efficacy.

Research and policy reports estimate that 10%–40% of U.S. children and adolescents currently have or very recently have had at least one significant mental health condition. Students who exhibit substantial behavior and emotional problems in school often show less severe problems when younger. Screening for less severe problems at younger ages can help educators direct extra support to students who may be likely to benefit. The present study explored the diagnostic validity of a brief teacher-rated behavior screening procedure for a national sample of 957 elementary school students—just over 12% of whom were school-identified with Emotional Disturbance (ED) and had an active Individualized Education Program (IEP). Diagnostic classification analyses were used to compare screening outcomes with IEP data for each student. Results indicated that the screening procedure correctly identified children with ED in over 90% of cases with classification accuracy being higher for younger students and female students. Study limitations, directions for future research, and practical implications about using this screening procedure are also discussed.

Home-based parental involvement and parental expectations in school are strong predictors of academic outcomes for high school students. Given this, we explored whether changes in parental involvement and parental expectations during high school were correlated with academic functioning for students with emotional or behavioral difficulties ( N = 888) compared with their peers ( N = 4,148). We found that home-based parental involvement was stable during high school for both groups of students. There was a decrease in parental educational expectations during high school that was equivalent between both groups. Students with elevated emotional and behavioral difficulties had significant correlations between increases in home-based involvement and increases in both parental expectations and grade point average, whereas the peer group had significant, yet trivial correlations among the constructs.

The study investigated the development of sources of self-efficacy in self-regulation in 9-12 year old (N = 317, primary school) students during one school year. We used latent growth curve modeling to determine (1) how the different sources of self-efficacy for self-regulation (i.e., mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, physiological and emotional arousal) change over one school year, and (2) how students' gender, special educational needs, and behavioral and emotional strengths relate to these changes. These results indicated that, on average, mastery experiences decreased and physiological and emotional arousal increased, whereas vicarious experience and social persuasion remained stable. Girls had higher initial levels of physiological and emotional arousal than boys, and experienced a steeper decline in mastery experiences compared to boys. Students with special educational needs had lower initial levels of mastery experience and higher physiological and emotional arousal than students without special educational needs. In addition, students with higher individual strengths presented higher initial levels of mastery and vicarious experiences, and lower physiological and emotional arousal. The results contribute to current research and practice by indicating that sources of self-efficacy for self-regulation change over time and are thus malleable in the school context.

Over the past several decades, the education, mental health, and social service fields have witnessed a significant shift in the focus of assessment of children moving from a solely deficit-based approach to a model incorporating strengths and competencies, which has been referred to as strength-based assessment. The Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS) is one of the first and most widely used strength-based assessments of behavioral and emotional functioning. While the BERS is widely used and researched, there is limited evidence supporting validity of test scores based on the internal structure or measurement invariance. The present study examined validity evidence based on internal structure and measurement invariance across White, Black, and Hispanic students for the BERS-3 Teacher Rating Scale using a national sample of 1,965 school-aged students. Results indicated empirical support for the hypothesized correlated factors structure as well as a bifactor structure with a strong general factor. Measurement invariance was also established for the correlated factors and bifactor CFA models, indicating that the scores consistently measured emotional and behavioral strength constructs across the three student groups, scores were comparable between groups, and scores were comparable to the same set of normative standards. Because of the test’s emphasis on strengths and invariant measurement across groups, implications for students of color are discussed.

Although the construct of social maladjustment has been used for the last six decades, relatively little research has addressed secular trends in socially maladjusted behaviors over time, and even fewer studies have addressed trends for students identified with emotional disturbance (ED). The purpose of this study was to use two nationally representative cross-sectional cohorts, one sampled in 1998 (n = 1,509) and one sampled in 2020 (n = 1,513), to examine long-term trends in the socially maladjusted behaviors of students with ED and their peers without disabilities. Results indicated that (a) socially maladjusted behaviors were significantly lower for the 2020 cohort compared with 1998 cohort, (b) the decrease from 1998 to 2020 was significantly more pronounced for students with ED compared with peers without disabilities, and (c) only adolescent students demonstrated significant decreases in socially maladjusted behaviors. Potential explanations, limitations of the study, and implications for schools are discussed.

Students' self-perceptions are a foundation for educational and psychosocial development. In order to investigate self-perceptions, we need to recognise the preconceptions (e.g. doubts and confidence) students hold about themselves. In this study, we examined 10-16-year-old students' (N=599) self-perceptions from the viewpoints of the sources of self-efficacy in self-regulation and behavioural and emotional strengths. Specifically, we used descriptive analyses to examine whether students' ages or received pedagogical support played a role in how they perceived themselves, and whether these viewpoints are related to each other. Our results indicate that, in general, primary school students perceived their sources of self-efficacy in self-regulation and strengths more positively than did lower secondary school students. However, the experience of stress and anxiety in task situations did not differ between the groups. Further, pedagogical support did not play a significant role in how primary school students perceived themselves, whereas in lower secondary school, significant differences were found in several areas. Finally, we found that the sources of self-efficacy in self-regulation and strengths were related in both primary and lower secondary school settings.

Identifying student strengths is central to transition planning. However, school personnel use few assessments that operationalize behavioral and emotional strengths, and the psychometric functioning of those measures have not been established with transition-age students. In this two-part study, we used a national sample of transition-age students to examine validity evidence for scores from the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-3: Teacher Rating Scale (BERS-3 TRS). Study 1 evaluated the internal structure and test score reliability of the scores for 275 students with exceptionalities. Study II used a sample of 566 students to examine differences in scores between students with and without exceptionalities. Findings from these studies represent evidence for the validity and interpretation of scores for transition-age students with exceptionalities.

The present study was conducted to determine whether the problem characteristics of U.S. students school-identified with emotional disturbance (ED) have changed over two decades. We used data from a teacher rating instrument designed to measure the five problem characteristics of ED, as stated in its Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) definition. These data were collected in the process of norming the instrument for 1998 and again for 2020. Comparison of the 1998 and 2020 students school-identified with ED showed that the 1998 group had significantly more problematic functioning on two characteristics, namely, Relationship Problems and Inappropriate Behavior, but no more problematic differences on Inability to Learn, Unhappiness or Depression, and Physical Symptoms or Fears. In addition, analyses of selected items gave more context to the main results. Study limitations, future research, and implications are discussed.

Often the characteristics of students with emotional and behavioral disturbances (EBDs) are described in terms of how they compare to students with and without other disabilities. However, such a conceptualization or categorization may overshadow differences that exist among these youth, and few studies examine unique subpopulations within this group. To explore meaningful differences and similarities among students with EBD, which could help to facilitate customization of interventions and supports, we conducted a latent profile analysis of over 300 middle school students receiving special education services for emotional or behavioral needs. Results identified four profiles using demographic variables, school setting (alternative school or not), teacher ratings of behavior and academic competence, and parent report on child suspensions. Criterion variables were then tested, with significant differences identified in use of mental health services, parent empowerment, and caregiver strain. However, significant differences were not found in parent satisfaction with school. Limitations, implications, and the need for additional research are discussed.

Provide data on the five characteristics of emotional disturbance (ED). For 503 students with ED and 2016 without disabilities, teachers rated the characteristics (Inability to Learn; Relationship Problems; Inappropriate Behavior; Unhappiness or Depression; Physical Symptoms or Fears), plus Socially Maladjusted. We applied a 2 (ED, without disabilities) x 2 (female, male) x 3 (elementary, middle, high school) covariance analysis, with follow-up comparisons. Students with ED showed greater problems than students without disabilities on all five characteristics, and Socially Maladjusted. On Inability to Learn, among students with ED genders did not differ at elementary but males had greater problems at middle school. On Inappropriate Behavior and Physical Symptoms or Fears, students with ED varied across school levels but students without disabilities did not. All five characteristics discriminated students with ED from those without disabilities. Differences between genders and school levels varied across characteristics.

Parental involvement in school is an undoubtedly important element of a student’s educational experience and outcomes. Students with elevated emotional and behavioral risks (EBR) tend to experience poor educational outcomes, and research suggests varying levels of parental involvement across domains for these at-risk students. However, there is minimal research on the links between elevated EBR, parental involvement, and academic achievement for high school students. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which (a) parental involvement differed between high school students with elevated EBR and students without EBR, (b) parental involvement was related to academic outcomes, and (c) the gap in academic achievement between students with elevated EBR and students without EBR could be attributed to differences in parental involvement. To address these questions, we fit a structural equation model using data from the High School Longitudinal Survey of 2009. The results demonstrated that (a) parental involvement was significantly lower in multiple domains for students with elevated EBR, (b) was significantly associated with academic outcomes, and (c) differences in parental involvement could account for a significant proportion of the achievement gap. Research limitations, directions for future research directions, and implications are discussed.

Parental engagement in special education promotes positive student outcomes and parent-school relationships. In order to promote engagement, parents must possess a basic knowledge and understanding of special education processes and parent and student rights. Little is known regarding parental knowledge about special education or how they learn about and access information on the special education process. This exploratory study surveyed 133 parents of students with disabilities to identify how they received special education related information, specific information received or searched across primary special education topics, and their perceived current and retrospective understanding of these topics as well as how these may differ based on specific parent and special education status characteristics. Findings indicate that parents gain the majority of information from personal communication (i.e., conversations with special education teachers, other parents), often independently search out additional information on key aspects of special education, and feel most knowledgeable about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and least knowledgeable about the legal aspects of special education. Significant differences were noted on some family characteristics in areas of satisfaction with resources, overall special education knowledge, and ways in which parents obtain information (e.g., school or on their own). Limitations, implications, and future research are discussed.

Ensuring the provision of a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to students qualified for services under the disability category of emotional disturbance (ED) has been both challenging and controversial. Examining this population in light of the five characteristics listed in the federal definition may provide useful insights to address needs and improve outcomes. The purpose of this study was to use latent class analysis to examine profiles across the five characteristics of the federal definition of ED for a sample of 491 students school-identified with ED. Key findings include that (a) students with ED are a heterogeneous group with distinct and qualitatively different subgroups; (b) latent classes representing the severe problems and the externalizing problems typologies tended to consist of younger students; (c) greater proportions of Black, Hispanic, and English-language learner students were found in the severe and externalizing latent classes; and (d) students in the externalizing and severe latent classes spent more time in special education classrooms and had worse ratings on social maladjustment. The findings highlight important implications for practice in regard to assessment, program differentiation, and preservice teacher training. Research limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

For years, the research and policy focus on Black students with emotional disturbance (ED) has been on racial disproportionality. The disproportionality issue has sparked professional debate and raised major questions about racial bias, cultural fairness, appropriateness of assessment instruments, the adequacy of special education programs, poverty, exposure to risk factors, and research approaches. Unfortunately, minimal progress has been made on understanding the overrepresentation of Black students in ED programs. The purpose of the present study was to initiate research on the emotional and behavioral functioning of Black students with ED, by comparing the teacher-completed ratings from the Scales for Assessing Emotional Disturbance for Black students with ED ( n = 139), Black students without ED ( n = 421), White students with ED ( n = 271), and White students without ED ( n = 1,218). The results demonstrated that (a) Black students with ED were judged to demonstrate significantly higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems than their Black and White peers without ED, and (b) Black students with ED differed minimally from White students with ED. Research limitations, directions for future research, and implications for assessment and service delivery are discussed.

This study examined the internal structure of the Scales for Assessing Emotional Disturbance-3 Rating Scale (RS), a teacher-completed RS developed to measure emotional disturbance (ED). As defined in U.S. law and regulations, ED involves five characteristics or patterns of behavioral and emotional maladaptation. RS data obtained on a sample of students with ED were used to examine validity evidence based on the internal structure of the assessment. Of particular interest was the extent to which multivariate factors derived from the RS data conform to the five characteristics of ED stated in the definition. Results indicate that the RS data fit a 5-factor model reasonably well. A subsequent bifactor analysis identified a considerable proportion of common variance across factors, suggesting the presence of a strong general ED factor, two distinct group factors (Inability to Learn and Inappropriate Behavior), and three weak group factors. The findings provided evidence of the validity of the SAED-3 RS based on internal structure and pointed to support for use of the RS in contributing to the process of determining whether a student qualifies for the ED education disability. Implications for improved research on the nature of ED and how students with ED can be better served are discussed.

Flipped classrooms have become widely adopted in educational settings (e.g., in higher education) worldwide. However, there is a need for more precise understanding of the ingredients for student satisfaction in a flipped setting. The aim of this paper was to investigate university students' experiences of the factors that create a successful flipped course. Ten measures were used to investigate the hypothesized factors affecting satisfaction, which were chosen based on the results from previous flipped classroom studies and higher educational research. These measures were grouped into three dimensions: (1) pedagogical (five measures), (2) social (three measures), and (3) technological (two measures). Exploratory factor analysis was run to analyze the adequacy of the instruments. Results revealed that the factor structure was as expected and that the instruments measuring all ten factors of teaching and learning in a flipped classroom were adequate. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analysis was used to formally operationalize the hypothesized latent constructs, and to build a structural equation model for predicting the student satisfaction of a flipped classroom. In the end, seven factors were found to predict student satisfaction with flipped courses. The highest predictor was guidance from the dimension of pedagogy, and the second-best predictor was experienced teaching for understanding. The results, limitations, and conclusion are discussed in terms of key issues and the development of a flipped classroom pedagogical design for higher education.

Levels of emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents demonstrate secular changes over time, warranting ongoing investigation. Prior studies examining secular trends in a range of such problems have been conducted in the U.S. and internationally. Research in this area generally has not fully considered the school setting. This study compared emotional and behavioral problems across two cohorts of students in the U.S. assessed over a 22-year time period as part of measurement development efforts for the Scales for Assessing Emotional Disturbance Rating Scale (SAED-RSRS; Epstein et al., 2020 ). Specifically, analyses drew from data collected via teacher report on matched cohorts of students for the 1998 (data collected from 1996 to 1997; n = 1,148) and 2020 (data collected from 2016 to 2018; n = 1,148) editions of the SAED-RS. After establishing measurement invariance across cohorts and testing for gender differences, structural equation modeling revealed statistically significant cohort mean differences on two of the five factors of the SAED-RS, suggesting increases over time in Inability to Learn (β = 0.09, p = .024) and Physical Symptoms and Fears (β = 0.14, p = .005) that were comparable for girls and boys. There were no statistically significant differences on the remaining factors: Relationship Problems, Inappropriate Behavior, and Unhappiness/Depression. Supplemental item-level tests revealed differences on 8 of the 39 SAED-RS items. Findings suggest increases in specific problem areas that could benefit from ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions to support contemporary students.