Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto Rico
School readiness during early childhood is crucial for future academic success. Existing guidelines recommend a comprehensive approach. This concurrent validation study developed a School Readiness Index (SRI) with five readiness domains: early learning skills, approach to learning, cognitive skills...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/957 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850077010612715520 |
|---|---|
| author | Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez Allison A. Appleton Marilyn Borges-Rodríguez Nicole E. Ruiz-Raíces Francisco J. Reyes-Santiago Odette Olivieri-Ramos Luisa I. Alvarado-Domenech |
| author_facet | Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez Allison A. Appleton Marilyn Borges-Rodríguez Nicole E. Ruiz-Raíces Francisco J. Reyes-Santiago Odette Olivieri-Ramos Luisa I. Alvarado-Domenech |
| author_sort | Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | School readiness during early childhood is crucial for future academic success. Existing guidelines recommend a comprehensive approach. This concurrent validation study developed a School Readiness Index (SRI) with five readiness domains: early learning skills, approach to learning, cognitive skills, socioemotional development, and physical health. Through a cross-sectional comparative design, the school readiness skills of 119 Puerto Rican children (63 males, 56 females) aged 54–65 months were assessed using standardized tests (e.g., Batería IV Woodcock-Muñoz and NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery), parental questionnaires (e.g., Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3), and physical health assessments. Each measure was scored and classified using a binary coding system (0 and 1) based on participant abilities (e.g., 1 for expected performance, 0 if below expectations). A composite SRI score was calculated using 25 indicators. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing children’s registration status in the special education program (SEP). Sex, household income, and maternal education are key determinants of school readiness. Children registered in the SEP had significantly lower composite scores than those not registered, supporting the SRI’s discriminant validity. The SRI is a reliable tool for identifying Hispanic children from Puerto Rico who may benefit from additional support. Inclusive and multidisciplinary assessment strategies are essential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8a64dfc785684ce1a4dbdb76d2f27d74 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-8a64dfc785684ce1a4dbdb76d2f27d742025-08-20T02:45:53ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-07-0115795710.3390/bs15070957Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto RicoMary Rodríguez-Rabassa0Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez1Allison A. Appleton2Marilyn Borges-Rodríguez3Nicole E. Ruiz-Raíces4Francisco J. Reyes-Santiago5Odette Olivieri-Ramos6Luisa I. Alvarado-Domenech7Clinical Psychology Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto RicoPonce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto RicoDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USAPonce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto RicoClinical Psychology Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto RicoSpeech-Language Pathology Master’s Program, Carlos Albizu University, San Juan 00901, Puerto RicoDepartment of Pediatrics, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto RicoDepartment of Pediatrics, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto RicoSchool readiness during early childhood is crucial for future academic success. Existing guidelines recommend a comprehensive approach. This concurrent validation study developed a School Readiness Index (SRI) with five readiness domains: early learning skills, approach to learning, cognitive skills, socioemotional development, and physical health. Through a cross-sectional comparative design, the school readiness skills of 119 Puerto Rican children (63 males, 56 females) aged 54–65 months were assessed using standardized tests (e.g., Batería IV Woodcock-Muñoz and NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery), parental questionnaires (e.g., Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3), and physical health assessments. Each measure was scored and classified using a binary coding system (0 and 1) based on participant abilities (e.g., 1 for expected performance, 0 if below expectations). A composite SRI score was calculated using 25 indicators. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing children’s registration status in the special education program (SEP). Sex, household income, and maternal education are key determinants of school readiness. Children registered in the SEP had significantly lower composite scores than those not registered, supporting the SRI’s discriminant validity. The SRI is a reliable tool for identifying Hispanic children from Puerto Rico who may benefit from additional support. Inclusive and multidisciplinary assessment strategies are essential.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/957school readinessearly educationschool readiness indexearly childhood developmentdevelopmental assessment |
| spellingShingle | Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez Allison A. Appleton Marilyn Borges-Rodríguez Nicole E. Ruiz-Raíces Francisco J. Reyes-Santiago Odette Olivieri-Ramos Luisa I. Alvarado-Domenech Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto Rico Behavioral Sciences school readiness early education school readiness index early childhood development developmental assessment |
| title | Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto Rico |
| title_full | Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto Rico |
| title_fullStr | Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto Rico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto Rico |
| title_short | Ready for School: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to School Readiness Assessment in Hispanic Children from Puerto Rico |
| title_sort | ready for school a multi dimensional approach to school readiness assessment in hispanic children from puerto rico |
| topic | school readiness early education school readiness index early childhood development developmental assessment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/957 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT maryrodriguezrabassa readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico AT kamalichmunizrodriguez readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico AT allisonaappleton readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico AT marilynborgesrodriguez readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico AT nicoleeruizraices readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico AT franciscojreyessantiago readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico AT odetteolivieriramos readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico AT luisaialvaradodomenech readyforschoolamultidimensionalapproachtoschoolreadinessassessmentinhispanicchildrenfrompuertorico |