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Large-Scale Psychometric Assessment of the ECERS-3

This project is designed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-3rd Edition (ECERS-3), the latest version of the most widely used tool for assessing quality in early childhood classrooms. The project has three primary goals: (1) validate the ECERS-3, using the scoring system recommended by its authors; (2) refine the tool using item response theory (IRT) to establish an alternative scoring system and investigate the predictive and convergent validity of the subscales created under the alternative; and (3) disseminate findings broadly. Because the ECERS tools are used extensively by state and federal agencies, researchers, and professional development providers, ensuring that the newest version is psychometrically sound is critical for the field of early childhood. Additionally, the alternative scoring will provide users with highly detailed and nuanced information about classrooms that can be used to better assess and support quality.

Funding

Type	Source	Amount
Federal	U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences	$1,585,103 ($58,374 contracted)

USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.