Validity and Reliability of The Teacher Competency Instrument (TECOMS) for Small Schools in Malaysia: Rasch Model Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to validate and evaluate the reliability of the Teacher Competency Instrument (TECOMS) to identify the level of teacher competence in small schools. A total of 10 expert panels were involved in validating this instrument. For that purpose, a questionnaire was distributed to 75 teachers who teach in small schools as respondents in this study. A version of the winsteps software version 5.2.2.0 was used to check the items' reliability and item-respondent isolation, the polarity and suitability of the items measuring constructs, and the standardized residual correlations. It also allows the removal or purification of items based on item polarity, item suitability, and determining values based on standardized residual correlation values. The final analysis found that no items were omitted. The final instrument showed a total of 39 appropriate items used to measure teacher competence constructs. The analysis revealed that these items have a good level of validity and reliability and are suitable for use by teachers in small schools.