Description:
The ECERS-R is designed to assess group programs for
children of preschool age (2 1/2 to 5). It is a 43-item
assessment tool rating scale organized into seven environmental
subscales: Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routines,
Language-Reasoning, Activities, Interaction, Program
Structure, and Parents and Staff. Each item has a number
of quality indicators. The ECERS-R can be used in preschool,
kindergarten, and child care classrooms. The original
ECERS was revised to reflect changes in the early childhood
field and to be more inclusive of children with disabilities
and sensitive to cultural diversity.
Uses of Information: The
assessment can be used by program directors for supervision
and program improvement, by teaching staff for self-assessment,
by agency staff for monitoring, and in teacher training
programs.
Reliability: (1) Internal
consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) ranged from .71
to .88 at the subscale level; the total scale internal
consistency was .92. (2) Inter-observer reliability
was .92 (Pearson correlation) and .87 (Spearman correlation).
Validity: Concurrent validity
information is not available in the manual. However,
the original version of the ECERS has been demonstrated
to have good predictive validity (Peisner-Feinberg and
Burchinal 1997), indicating that quality of center-based
child care (measured using the ECERS-R) was related
to preschool children’s concurrent cognitive and
socioemotional development (measured using the Peabody
Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised and the Woodcock-Johnson
Tests of Achievement-Revised).
Method of Scoring: The scoring
sheet records the ratings for quality indicators, items,
subscale and total scores, as well as any observer comments.
The indicators, which have Yes/No/Not applicable response
choices, are used to score the items, which have scores
ranging from 1 (Inadequate) to 7 (Excellent). There are
two ways to score the items. The manual provides detailed
instructions on both scoring systems. The usual scoring
system for each item is based on the number of the highest
quality indicators with affirmative responses. Under the
alternate scoring method, each indicator is individually
scored (using the 1 to 7 range), which could extend the
assessment time to a total of 4 to 5 hours. A Profile
sheet is also provided to graphically display the scoring
information, to compare areas of strengths and weaknesses,
and to select items and subscales to target for improvement.
The profiles for at least two observations can be plotted
side by side to depict changes visually. Sample profile
forms are available on the Frank Porter Graham Child Development
Center website (www.fpg.unc.edu).
Interpretability: Full
instructions for using the scale, plus notes clarifying
selected scale items are included. However, the manual
provides no information about interpreting the results
of the observation.
Training Support: The assessment
tool includes instructions for using the ECERS-R; a Video
training package and workbook are also available. The
website: www.fpg.unc.edu includes helpful information.
Adaptations/Special Instructions
for Individuals with Disabilities: The revised
version includes new items to assess program’s
services for children with disabilities. However, the
revision needs field-testing and standardization.
Report Preparation Support:
Not included in the manual.
References:
Harms, Thelma, Richard M. Clifford and Debby Cryer.
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Revised Edition.
New York: Teachers College Press, 1998.
Harms, Thelma and Debby Cryer. Early Childhood Environment
Rating Scale Video Observations, Revised Edition. New
York: Teachers College Press, 1999.
Harms, Thelma and Debby Cryer. Early Childhood Environment
Rating Scale Video Guide & Training Workbook, Revised
Edition. New York: Teachers College Press, 1999.
Peisner-Feinberg, E., and M. Burchinal. “Relations
Between Preschool Children’s Child Care Experiences
and Concurrent Development: The Cost, Quality and Outcomes
Study.” Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, vol. 43, no.
3, 1997, pp. 451-477.
www.fpg.unc.edu |
