Study of the Factor Structure,Profiles,and Concurrent Validity of the Mindset Assessment Profile Tool for Elementary Students

Abstract

This study explored the underlying latent structure of items on the Mindset Assessment Profile (MAP) tool, explored whether subgroups of students exist based on the latent structure of MAP items, and tested whether subgroups were differentiated on standardized measures of reading comprehension, vocabulary, and word reading. Participants included 431 fourth-grade students. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a three-factor model provided the most parsimonious fit to the data. Results of exploratory finite mixture model analysis with auxiliary regression suggested five classes of students, with the students categorized as growth mindset—high effort profile having the highest observed reading comprehension (M = 451.98 and SD = 38.88) and vocabulary (M = 454.37 and SD = 34.74) scores. By contrast, students categorized as fixed mindset—higher effort had the lowest observed reading comprehension and vocabulary scores. Limitations and directions for future research, and implications for using MAP assessment to inform intervention are discussed.