YouthTruth Concurrent and Predictive Validity Study Report

Using data from EdFacts data and the Civil Rights Data Collection, this study tested the relationship at the school level between YouthTruth student survey scales and key academic and behavioral outcomes. The study examined the relationship of six student experience scales with three academic outcomes—school-level reading and math proficiency rates and ninth grade retention rates—and two behavioral outcomes, chronic absences and suspensions. The study found that each YouthTruth student experience scale demonstrates concurrent validity for one or more key academic and behavioral outcomes in at least one school level (elementary, middle, or high school). The same holds for predictive validity. These findings support the use of the YouthTruth student experience scales in school improvement efforts.

Project: YouthTruth Validation Study