The Research in Self-determination project used the Field and Hoffman model of self-determination to measure cognitive, affective and behavioral factors related to self-determination. These factors were assessed from the perspectives of students, teachers, and parents. This assessment approach provided the basis for developing the following battery of instruments:

Self-Determination Observation Checklist (SDOC). This is a 28 item behavioral checklist designed to be administered by classroom teachers or other appropriate personnel in a school environment.

Self-determination Knowledge Scale Pretest & The Self-Determination Knowledge Scale Posttest (SDKS). Designed around the Field and Hoffman (1996) Steps to Self-Determination Curriculum, the two SDKS are 37-item structured response instruments designed to assess the student's cognitive knowledge of self-determination skills as taught in the curriculum. The reading level of these instruments is approximately fifth grade. They can be used with students with mild-moderate cognitive disabilities.

Self-Determination Student Scale SDSS. This is a 92-item self-report instrument taken by the student that measures both affective (feelings, emotions) and cognitive (beliefs) aspects of self-determination. The SDSS yields four main subscales and a number of minor subscales based on the components of the model. These subscales relate to a student's sense of global self-determination, as well as to applications in their education, home, and related environmental settings.

Parent perception Scale (PPS) and Teacher Perception Scale (TPS). These two instruments are 30 item questionnaires that require the parent or teacher to rate the child/student on a five point likert scale (0=low, 4=high) on a variety of components related to the model.

These instruments have been used to evaluate outcomes in self-determination programs and they have been used in nerous doctoral dissertations.

For more information about this project, please send e-mail to sdtalk@wayne.edu or write to Dr. Sharon Field, Wayne State University, 469 College of Education, Detroit, MI 48202.