Development and Validation of a Literacy Acquisition Factors Instrument for Grades 1–3 Learners
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31098/jess.v4i1.4191Keywords:
Literacy Development, Instrument Validation, Success and Barrier Indicators, Content Validity, Cronbach’s AlphaAbstract
Early literacy acquisition is a critical foundation for academic success, yet many Grades 1–3 learners experience reading and comprehension difficulties without the support of validated diagnostic tools that identify both enabling and hindering factors within their learning context. Existing school-based literacy programs often rely on general assessments that do not systematically capture socio-cultural, motivational, and environmental influences affecting literacy development. This study developed and validated a diagnostic instrument designed to identify success and barrier factors influencing literacy acquisition in English and Filipino among primary learners. Anchored in the Alalay sa Literasiya initiative of the Community Extension and Outreach Project Office (CEOPO) at Manuel V. Gallego Foundation Colleges (MVGFC), the tool supports targeted, evidence-based classroom and intervention planning. The instrument measures success indicators (e.g., reading interest, self- awareness, language exposure, and socio-cultural support) and barrier indicators (e.g., family constraints, financial limitations, environmental factors, and motivation) using a 4-point Likert scale, including a Filipino- language version to ensure accessibility. Face and content validation were conducted by literacy and education experts. Quantitative validation using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) yielded a high scale-level CVI (S-CVI = 0.935), while reliability testing showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.930). These findings confirm that the instrument is valid and reliable for identifying literacy-related factors and can assist teachers and schools in designing responsive literacy interventions for Grades 1–3 learners.
References
Abiva, R. B., Calanno, I. F., Cruz, D., Fabella, E., Perez, F. O., & Roguel, S. M. (2024). Conscientizing extension: MVGFC-CEOPs impact on the lives of the people in Barangay Talipapa, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. KCWorks, 2(3), 560–586. https://doi.org/10.17613/6g35-m285
Bland, J. M., & Altman, D. G. (1997). Statistics notes: Cronbach’s alpha. BMJ, 314, 572. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.314.7080.572
Briggs, S. R., & Cheek, J. M. (1986). The role of factor analysis in the development and evaluation of personality scales. Journal of Personality, 54(1), 106–148. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1986.tb00391.x
Darling-Hammond, L., Flook, L., Cook-Harvey, C. M., Barron, B., & Osher, D. (2020). Implications for educational practice of the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 24(2), 97–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2018.1537791
Davis, L. L. (1992). Instrument review: Getting the most from a panel of experts. Applied Nursing Research, 5(4), 194–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0897-1897(05)80008-4
Department of Education. (2022). Basic education report. https://www.deped.gov.ph
DeVon, H. A., Block, M. E., Moyle-Wright, P., Ernst, D. M., Hayden, S. J., Lazzara, D. J., Savoy, S. M., & Kostas-Polston, E. (2007). A psychometric toolbox for testing validity and reliability. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 39(2), 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00161.x
DeVellis, R. F. (2017). Scale development: Theory and applications (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Elliot, J., Hufton, N., Illushin, L., & Lauchlan, F. (2001). The search for educational effectiveness: The assessment of pupil progress in low attaining groups. Oxford Review of Education, 27(2), 137–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054980125317
Green, S. (2023). Overcoming barriers to learning: Practical strategies for the classroom. Education Press.
Green, S. (2023, September 29). 10 barriers to learning and how to overcome them. iSpring Solutions. https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/barriers-to-learning
Jameson, S. (2025, May 16). Likert scale. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
Lawshe, C. H. (1975). A quantitative approach to content validity. Personnel Psychology, 28(4), 563–575. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1975.tb01393.x
Merga, M. K. (2019a). “Fallen through the cracks”: Teachers’ perceptions of barriers faced by struggling literacy learners in secondary school. English in Education, 54(4), 371–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/04250494.2019.1672502
Merga, M. K. (2019b). Children’s attitudes toward reading: A literature review. Australian Journal of Education, 63(1), 67–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004944118829875
Mohd Arof, K., Ismail, S., & Saleh, A. L. (2018). Contractor’s performance appraisal system in the Malaysian construction industry: Current practice, perception and understanding. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7, 46. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.9.15272
OECD. (2013a). Equity and quality in education: Supporting disadvantaged students and schools. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264130852-en
OECD. (2013b). What makes schools successful? Resources, policies and practices – Volume V. https://www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/Vol4Ch2.pdf
OECD. (2019). PISA 2018 results: What students know and can do – Volume I. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/5f07c754-en
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2006). The content validity index: Are you sure you know what’s being reported? Critique and recommendations. Research in Nursing & Health, 29(5), 489–497. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.20147
Rutherford-Hemming, T. (2018). Quantitative methods in instrument validation. In C. L. Schaffer & D. C. Harris (Eds.), Research methods in education and psychology (pp. 112–130). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506326139.n151
Sullivan, G. M. (2011). A primer on the validity of assessment instruments. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 3(2), 119–120. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-11-00075.1
Taber, K. S. (2018). The use of Cronbach’s alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48, 1273–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-016-9602-2
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
Tilden, V., Nelson, C., & May, B. (1990). Use of qualitative methods to enhance content validity. Nursing Research, 39(3), 172–175.
UNESCO. (2018). Global education monitoring report 2018: Meeting our commitments to education. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000265866
UNICEF. (2020). SEA-PLM 2019: Main regional report. UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office. https://www.unicef.org/eap/reports/sea-plm-2019
Zerati, M., & Alavi, N. (2014). Designing and validity evaluation of quality of nursing care scale in intensive care units. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 22(3), 461–471. https://doi.org/10.1891/1061-3749.22.3.461

