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Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (PreBERS): Test–Retest Reliability and Inter-Rater Reliability

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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.

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Correspondence to Lori Synhorst.

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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

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-008-9194-1

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