Factor Analysis of the Attitude Toward Parent Involvement Survey With Preservice Teachers

Abstract

This study involved validating the structure of the Attitude Toward Parent Involvement Survey ( ATPIS). The survey was administered 1,729 times to preservice teachers along with Knowledge assessments at the beginning and end of a course on parent involvement. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to validate the factors using more sophisticated statistical software. The analysis was conducted to validate the structure of the instrument and compare the factor structure with the factor structure obtained in a previous factor analysis. The main dimensions that the survey evaluated were parent involvement activities initiated by the teacher and parent involvement activities initiated by the parent. It replicated the original three factors and showed a strong fit. Fit statistics supported the three-factor structure in a confirmatory factor analysis. The three factors were Partners in Learning, Teacher-Initiated Activities, and Parent-Initiated Activities. Concurrent and predictive validity were assessed through correlating ATPIS scores and knowledge assessment scores at pre-and posttest. Results yielded limited evidence for concurrent validity at posttest and predictive validity. Current post-Knowledge assessment scores were correlated in four instances with current post-Attitude subscale scores (concurrent validity) and two pre-Attitude subscale scores were correlated with two post-Knowledge assessment subscale scores (predictive validity). The fact that the measure is valid and contains reliable subscales suggests its usefulness for identifying students who would involve parents once they became teachers. The 20-year-old measure needs revision to include family engagement and diversity.