Longitudinal Measurement Non-Invariance with Ordered-Categorical Indicators: How are the Parameters in Second-Order Latent Linear Growth Models Affected?

Models of change typically assume longitudinal measurement invariance. Key constructs are often measured by ordered-categorical indicators (e.g., Likert scale items). If tests based on such indicators do not support longitudinal measurement invariance, it would be useful to gauge the practical significance of the detected non-invariance. The authors focus on the commonly used second-order latent growth curve model, proposing a sensitivity analysis that compares the growth parameter estimates from a model assuming the highest achieved level of measurement invariance to those from a model assuming a higher, incorrect level of measurement invariance as a measure of practical significance. A simulation study investigated the practical significance of non-invariance in different locations (loadings, thresholds, uniquenesses) in second-order latent linear growth models. The mean linear slope was affected by non-invariance in the loadings and thresholds, the intercept variance was affected by non-invariance in the uniquenesses, and the linear slope variance and intercept–slope covariance were affected by non-invariance in all three locations.     

Exploring the effects of a social communication intervention for improving requests and word diversity in preschoolers with disabilities

This study examined the effects of a multicomponent social communication intervention to promote language learning and peer‐directed social interactions in preschool children with disabilities. Participants were eight children with developmental disabilities who met the specified criteria for the study. The intervention consisted of three components: (a) a planning period for instructional purposes, (b) a play session to practice skills, and (c) a brief reporting period to review skill performance. A multiple baseline design across two dyads replicated across two additional dyads was used. Results indicated an increase in peer‐directed requests, verbal requests, and word diversity for 6 of the 8 participants postintervention. Implications of the results are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

School diversity and social justice: policy and politics

This paper focuses on the long established diversity in the English education system – independent schools, grammar schools and religious schools – and in so doing explores tensions between education policy, politics and social justice. It explores the differential access to these different types of school, their social composition and implications for social justice and for wider society. It is argued that if social justice is to be a goal of government, further policy changes are needed over and above those that have already been made. However, the political challenges, which have limited policy changes to date, would be significant.     

Making the right connections: Differential effects of reading intervention for subgroups of comprehenders

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different types of questioning interventions on students' reading comprehension. Fourth-grade students (n = 246) were identified as struggling, average, or good readers and assigned randomly within school to one of three questioning interventions: two inferential conditions (Causal or General) or one literal condition (“Who, What, Where, When” or W-questioning). Teachers delivered the interventions for 20–30 min, 2–4 times per week, for 8–10 weeks. All readers made reliable pre- to posttest comprehension gains as measured by story recall (ps < .001 to .04). Differential effects for intervention were found between two subgroups of struggling comprehenders—elaborators and paraphrasers. Elaborators benefited more than paraphrasers from Causal questioning (d = .86) whereas paraphrasers benefited more than elaborators from General questioning (d = 1.46). These findings suggest that identifying subgroups is important in developing and evaluating the effectiveness of reading comprehension interventions.     

Developing the capacity of teacher‐librarians to meet the diverse needs of all schoolchildren: Project ENABLE

US school libraries are required to ensure that schoolchildren and school staff with disabilities have equal opportunity to use and benefit from library facilities and information services under federal law. However, evidence indicates teacher‐librarians (TLs) often lack the training, knowledge and skills to provide programmes and services that meet the needs of students with disabilities. Project ENABLE (Expanding Nondiscriminatory Access by Librarians Everywhere) was created to respond to this shortfall by designing, implementing and evaluating a professional development programme in New York State. The project applies a social model of disability to help 100 TLs, special educators and general educators further develop their skills and resources by teaming together to create an inclusive environment for all students. This is achieved through the use of universal design principles, appropriate assistive and other technologies, an emphasis on person‐first language and sensitivity simulations, a focus on inclusive lesson planning, and by developing collaboration capacity among participant teams. Curriculum development, data collection and analyses are presented. The effect of the Project ENABLE trainings was significant in terms of higher levels of skill and knowledge reported by participants for creating accessible library programmes, advancing inclusive education and building effective collaborations. Drawing from their workshop learning and resources, participant teams developed action plans to implement during the 2011–2012 school year. This project underscores the importance of TLs in the education of all students, including those with disabilities. Higher education and local professional development programmes must place greater emphasis on preparing TLs to perform this role effectively and confidently.