Differential Item Functioning Analysis of the Preschool Language Scale—4 Between English-Speaking Hispanic and European American Children From Low-Income Families

Abstract

The study examined whether item bias is present in the Preschool Language Scale—4 (PLS-4). Participants were 440 children (3—5 years old; 86% English-speaking Hispanic and 14% European American) who were enrolled in Head Start programs. The PLS-4 items were analyzed for differential item functioning (DIF) using logistic regression and a one-parameter item response theory (IRT) model. The logistic regression analysis identified Auditory Comprehension (AC) Item 35 as having non-uniform DIF. Using IRT, AC Item 55 and Expressive Communication (EC) Items 30 and 31 displayed statistical evidence of DIF. AC Item 55 and EC Item 30 were more difficult for Hispanic children than for European American children, whereas the opposite was true for EC Item 31. These findings did not find strong evidence of cultural bias for the PLS-4 against English-speaking Hispanic children from low-income families.