Psychometric Analysis of Student Survey Data

This technical report presents the psychometric analysis of the student survey data from Cohort 2 of the Gates Foundation’s Balance the Equation Algebra I Grand Challenge project. The primary objective of the project was to identify and evaluate innovative math programs aimed at enhancing outcomes for Black and Latino students, as well as students from low-income backgrounds. The analysis involved a common survey designed to assess constructs related to students' experiences in math classes and their math identities. The report details the methodology, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the survey constructs and assess their reliability. Findings indicate the identification of nine distinct scales that reflect students' sense of belonging, engagement, enjoyment, and identity in math. The report also discusses the internal consistency of these scales and their stability over time and across different student groups, providing evidence that supports the use of these scores for meaningful comparisons in educational research.