Development and Validation of the Environment Characterization Inventory for Early Education
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Abstract
In this study, the psychometric properties of the Environment Characterization Inventory for Early Education (INCA-EI), and the effect of socioeconomic context and type of institution on the quality of environments were evaluated. 142 early education classrooms were evaluated. The analysis of Unidimensionality for the Structure Dimension and the CFA for the Process Dimension showed a good fit of the items to the Structure sub-dimensions (p>.05; CFI ≥.90; RMSEA<.08), validating the organization of three correlated factors in the Process sub-dimensions (χ²=323.82; RMSEA=.06; CFI=.96; TLI=.96). The instrument presents good values of internal consistency (α =.88; ω =.93), and moderate to considerable agreements in the majority of scores in the inter-rater reliability analysis (ICC=.80). Differences are presented between the quality of the environment of schools and kindergartens and Institutions of different socioeconomic contexts. The results show that INCA-EI is a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of environments in early education, which can be used for research purposes and monitoring of public policies.
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