Exploratory factor analysis, reliability, and validity of the interventionist knowledge and skills survey

This study examined the development and technical adequacy of the Interventionist Knowledge and Skill Survey (IKSS), a self-assessment used for understanding the degree of knowledge and skills associated with interventionists working within a multitiered system of support (MTSS). A national sample of 600 school psychologists and school counselors completed 30 Likert-type items pertaining to interventionist knowledge and skills for MTSS. Item analysis reduced the items to 22, and exploratory factor analysis and a parallel analysis identified four factors: Intervention Knowledge, Intervention Skills, Intervention Selection and Evaluation, and Consultation and Communication. Reliability analysis of the four subscales was adequate, and several other analyses provided evidence for the validity of the IKSS. Discussion focuses on use of the IKSS for research and practice as well as study limitations.