The Math Essential Skills Screener - Upper Elementary Version (MESS-U): Studies of Reliability and Validity

Abstract

The Math Essential Skills Screener - Upper Elementary Version (MESS-U) is part of a series of screening tests designed to help identify students ages 9-11 who are at risk for mathematics failure. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, item analysis, decision efficiency, convergent validity and factorial validity of the MESS-U were studied using four independent samples of students aged 9 to 11. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were both .90 (N = 200 & 123, respectively). The MESS-U yielded validity coefficients (N = 200) of r = .80, .78, and .77 with standard scores of the WJ-R Math Cluster, WRAT-R Arithmetic subtest, and KeyMath-Revised Operations Area, respectively. Results of an exploratory factor analysis indicated that a single dimension likely underlies the MESS-U items.