Running Head: HOPE Scale Invariance Evaluation of Differential Item and Test Functioning of the HOPE Teacher Rating Scale

The HOPE Scale was introduced with initial validity evidence at the 2009 AERA conference. Based on these results a new validity study was conducted on revisions made to the Scale. Items were added and the HOPE Scale was completed by a new sample of 71 teachers on their respective 1700 students. Using these data, the HOPE Scale was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group CFA to evaluate differential item and test-level functioning with regard to gender, ethnic / racial groupings, and family income. Results were mixed in that differential item functioning was not found with regard to ethnic / racial group membership, but was found when gender groups were compared. Different ethnic / racial groups did also not show any overall mean scale differences, suggesting the HOPE Scale items and overall instrument are not affected by racial or ethnic group membership, but that gender does have an inappropriate influence.