ERIC Number: EJ1170782
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
Assessing Quality of Program Environments for Children and Youth with Autism: Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS)
Odom, Samuel L.; Cox, Ann; Sideris, John; Hume, Kara A.; Hedges, Susan; Kucharczyk, Suzanne; Shaw, Evelyn; Boyd, Brian A.; Reszka, Stephanie; Neitzel, Jennifer
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v48 n3 p913-924 Mar 2018
The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the "Autism Program Environment Rating Scale" ("APERS"), an instrument designed to assess quality of program environments for students with autism spectrum disorder. Data sets from two samples of public school programs that provided services to children and youth with autism spectrum disorder were utilized. Cronbach alpha analyses indicated high coefficients of internal consistency for the total "APERS" and moderate levels for item domains for the first data set, which was replicated with the second data set. A factor analysis of the first data set indicated that all domain scores loaded on one main factor, in alignment with the conceptual model, with this finding being replicated in the second data set. Also, the "APERS" was sensitive to changes resulting from a professional development program designed to promote program quality.
Descriptors: Autism, Psychometrics, Factor Analysis, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Faculty Development, Educational Quality, Rating Scales, Program Evaluation, Scores, Public Schools, Program Effectiveness, Services, Elementary Secondary Education
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED); Office of Special Education Programs (ED/OSERS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324C120006; H325G07004