The Student's Perception of Ability Scale: an Instrument for Measuring Academic Self-Concept in Elementary School Children'

Abstract

The Student's Perception of Ability Scale (SPAS) was developed in response to a need for a reliable and valid instrument to measure subject-based academic self-concept in elementary school children. This scale was designed for use with children in grades three to six. Descriptive data on the SPAS were discussed in terms of their substantive, structural, and external validity. Normative data were also highlighted. The scale was found to have six meaningful factors, relatively high alpha and test-retest reliability estimates, and reasonably strong discriminant and experimental validity. Data were presented which indicate that the SPAS clearly differentiates between children who have learning problems and those who do not. A concurrent validity coefficient of .489 was obtained with school grades. Further, a recent study indicates that the scale appears useful in assessing affective change over time. It was concluded that the SPAS is measuring a unique domain of academic self-concept and that the scale has good measurement characteristics. Practical and research implications for the scale were also discussed.