Screening for Emotional and Behavioral Risk Among Students With Limited English Proficiency

Students with limited English proficiency (LEP) make up one of the fastest growing segments of the student population; however, LEP status is often related to poor academic and behavioral outcomes. Teacher-reported behavioral rating scales can be informative measurements to screen and identify students at risk for behavioral and emotional problems. Given the focus on early identification and the changing demographics in schools, it is important to research the validity of screening instruments, as well as more comprehensive assessments, among LEP students. Items on a teacher-rated screener and a comprehensive behavioral rating scale were evaluated for invariance across two language groups. Results showed that the majority of items could be considered invariant across groups. This study also examined how behavioral ratings on invariant measures differed at the mean level between LEP and non-LEP students. LEP students were rated as having more learning problems and fewer adaptive skills; no significant differences were found for internalizing and externalizing problems. Results highlight the need for further research on this topic.