Replicating Factor Analyses Across Years: Aspiration Results for Rural Middle School Students

A cross validation study was conducted using data from white, rural seventh graders to investigate the stability of the construct validity of a model of eight conditions that are purported to support adolescent academic aspirations. A factor analytic study examined GEAR-UP survey data from 4,365 students across two consecutive years. In contrast to the model proposed by the University of Maine, the results of this study supported a four-factor model that persisted across years and gender. These factors are Self- Efficacy, Teacher-Centric, Leadership, and Like School. While the factors were consistent, the weightings did vary by gender and by year with girls rating the Teacher- Centric factor as most important and boys rating Self-Efficacy first across time periods.