Abstract
The Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (PreBERS) is a standardized, norm-referenced instrument that assesses the emotional and behavioral strengths of preschool children. Two studies that investigated the test–retest and inter-rater reliability of the PreBERS are reported. In the first study, teachers rated preschool children (N = 96) on two occasions with 1 month between ratings. Reliability coefficients for the four subscales and total score of the PreBERS were all at or above 0.86. In the second study teachers and paraprofessionals rated the same preschool children (N = 88). All of the correlations were over 0.72. In both studies the magnitude of correlations were large indicating that the PreBERS is a stable measure across time and raters. Based on the data the PreBERS appears to be a psychometrically sound instrument appropriate for use with preschool children. Recommendations for use with preschool children as well as future research are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Achenbach, T. M., & Rescorla, L. A. (2000). Manual for the ASEBA preschool forms & profiles. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.
Anastasi, A., & Urbina, S. (1997). Psychological testing (7th ed.). Upper Saddle, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Carter, A. S., & Briggs-Gowen, M. (1993). The infant-toddler social and emotional assessment (ITSEA). Unpublished manuscript. University of Massachusetts Boston Department of Psychology. Boston, MA. Yale University, New Haven, CT.
DelCarmen-Wiggins R., & Carter A. (Eds.). (2004). Handbook of infant, toddler, and preschool mental health assessment. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Epstein, M. H. (2004). Behavioral and emotional rating scale: A strength-based approach to assessment (2nd ed). Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Epstein, M. H., & Sharma, J. (1998). Behavioral and emotional rating scale: A strength-based approach to assessment. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Epstein, M. H., & Synhorst, L. (in press). Preschool behavioral and emotional rating scale. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Greenspan, S. I., & Meisels, S. J. (1996). Toward a new vision for the developmental assessment of infants and young children. In S. J. Meisels, & E. Fenichel (Eds.), New visions for the developmental assessment of infants and young children (pp. 231–266). Washington, DC: ZERO TO THREE.
Gresham, F. M., & Elliott, S. N. (1990). Social skills rating scale. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Hopkins, W. G. (2002). A scale of magnitudes for effect statistics. In A new view of statistics. Retrieved June 13, 2002, from http://www.sportsci.org/resource/stats/effectmag.html.
Knitzer, J. (2000). Early childhood mental health services: A policy and systems development perspective. In J. P. Shonkoff, & S. J. Meisels (Eds.), Handbook of early childhood intervention 2nd ed. (pp. 416–438). New York: Cambridge University Press.
LeBuffe, P. A., & Naglieri, J. A. (1999). Devereux early childhood assessment user’s guide. Lewisville, NC: Kaplan Press.
Meisels, S. J., & Atkins-Burnett, S. (2000). The elements of early childhood assessment. In J. P. Shonkoff, & S. J. Meisels (Eds.), Handbook of early childhood intervention 2nd ed. (pp. 231–257). New York: Cambridge University Press.
National Research Council, Institute of Medicine. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (2004). Behavior assessment system for children (2nd ed.). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service Publishing.
Salvia, J., & Ysseldyke, J. E. (2001). Assessment. Boston, MA: Houghton-Miflin.
Shonkoff J. P., & Meisels S. J. (Eds.) (2000). Handbook of early childhood intervention (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Sparrow, S. S., Balla, D. A., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1998). Vineland social-emotional early childhood scales (SEEC). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Epstein, M.H., Synhorst, L. Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (PreBERS): Test–Retest Reliability and Inter-Rater Reliability. J Child Fam Stud 17, 853–862 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-008-9194-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-008-9194-1