A validation of the Effective Learning Environments Assessments

The purpose of this research was to investigate the validity of the Effective Learning Environments Assessment (ELEA), an educational facilities assessment instrument designed to assess educators' perceptions of educational facility condition. In order to examine the validity of the ELEA, practicing K-12 school administrators from Texas public school districts were selected to participate. Two school administrators from each participating campus completed the Internet-based Design Assessment Scale (DAS) and the ELEA. The validation study was conducted using classical validation methodology. Correlational pattern analysis and Multitrait-Multimethod Matrix (MTMM) methodology was used to analyze associations between the ELEA using the DAS, the criteria. Concurrent validity coefficients were moderately strong (ranging from 0.43 to 0.64) as well as the concurrent cross validation coefficients for the ELEA and DAS subscales (ranging from 0.31 to 0.68). Results of the MTMM were consistent with theoretical expectations, and therefore, provided evidence of satisfactory convergent and discriminant scale validity of the ELEA. Therefore the ELEA measures the constructs it intended to measure (convergent) and does not measure extraneous constructs that are irrelevant to what the ELEA is designed to assess (discriminant). Results confirmed the ELEA possesses adequate validity for assessing educational facility condition. Therefore, as long as the ELEA is administered within the parameters of this study, educators and educational facility planners can have confidence in the ELEA as a measure of educators' perceptions of educational facility condition. In keeping with best practices, important educational decisions should not be predicated on single measures. Hence, a variety of sources should be evaluated to properly measure educational facility condition. However, the ELEA has demonstrated the necessary psychometric properties to be a contributing source of data for aiding school administrators in educational facility decisions. Comprehensive review of educational facility assessment requires exploration of the developmental needs of the learner. The ELEA may be used to provide a more comprehensive assessment of educational facility condition to best meet the developmental needs of learners.