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Article
Executive Function Skills and School Success in Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Educational Researcher (2012)
  • Ann S. Masten, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Janette E. Herbers, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Christopher David Desjardins, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • J. J. Cutuli, University of Pennsylvania
  • Christopher M. McCormick, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Julianna K. Sapienza, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Jeffrey D. Long, University of Iowa
  • Philip D. Zelazo, University of Minnesota
Abstract
The authors examined the role of executive function (EF) skills as a predictor of kindergarten or first-grade adjustment in 138 children living in shelters for homeless families. During the summer, children completed a battery of six EF tasks and three IQ measures. Teachers later rated children’s school adjustment in five domains of achievement and social conduct. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the construct validity of EF as distinct from the general factor in IQ tests. The differential predictive validity of EF scores for school adjustment was tested by hierarchical regression analysis in relation to IQ. Results supported the hypothesis that EF has unique predictive significance for homeless children. Findings also corroborate the feasibility and validity of EF assessments in community settings and contribute to growing evidence that EF skills are important for school success. Implications are discussed for addressing educational disparities for homeless and highly mobile children.
Keywords
  • Achievement gap; Cognition; Poverty; Urban education; At-risk students; Regression analyses; Factor analysis
Publication Date
December, 2012
Citation Information
Ann S. Masten, Janette E. Herbers, Christopher David Desjardins, J. J. Cutuli, et al.. "Executive Function Skills and School Success in Young Children Experiencing Homelessness" Educational Researcher Vol. 41 (2012)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jj_cutuli/15/