Psychometric Support for an Abbreviated Version of the California School Climate and Safety Survey

Abstract

The California School Climate and Safety Survey–Short Form (CSCSS–SF) was developed as a streamlined version (54 items) of the original CSCSS (102 items) for school safety teams to gather information regarding student perceptions of campus climate, safety, and experience of victimization. Using a longitudinal dataset, this study implemented confirmatory factor analysis to further examine the underlying structure of the CSCSS–SF to identify the highest loading items of its 3 previously identified factors: danger on campus, perceptions of school climate, and perceptions of school safety. Measurement invariance was assessed using Multiple Indicators, Multiple Causes across genders. Internal consistency and stability across factors were also measured. In addition, predictive validity was assessed using student responses to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results supported previous findings of a 3-factor solution (with loadings>.40) and suggested adequate psychometric evidence (factor reliability coefficients>.60 and measurement invariance across gender) for an abbreviated 15-item school safety monitoring tool. Although these findings provide strong support for the structural and predictive validity of the abbreviated version of the CSCSS, there is a need for future research to administer this instrument 3 to 4 times in a school year to evaluate its effects on enhancing school safety.