Development and initial validation of the sport education scale

Abstract

This research developed and psychometrically tested the Sport Education Scale, a measure of students’ perceptions of the structural features of a Sport Education season. In the first study (N = 277 students), a pool of 28 items was developed, and an exploratory factor analysis found a 7-factor solution. In the second study (N = 656 students), a confirmatory factor analysis verified the 28-item 7-factor correlated model, which was invariant across gender and age. Convergent validity was met by suitable average variance extracted values. Discriminant validity was underpinned by appropriate values for heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations and correlations among latent factors. Reliability was adequate for each factor of the Sport Education Scale. A structural equation modeling showed that Sport Education positively predicted perceived competence, sportsperson- ship, and intrinsic motivation among students. The Sport Education Scale is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the core elements of this pedagogical model