School Function Assessment (SFA)

Posted on: March 14, 2015 | By: jnowak | Filed under: School Function Assessment (SFA)

1. Title: School Function Assessment (SFA)

2. Publication: 1998

3. Authors: Wendy Coster, Theresa Deeney, Jane Haltiwanger, Stephen Haley

4. Publisher: Psychological Corporation

5. Costs: (from pearsonclinical.com)

SFA Complete Kit $230.64

SFA User’s Manual $143.50

SFA Rating Scale Guide $23.60

6. Purpose:

Measure of a student’s performance of functional (nonacademci) tasks that affect academic and social aspects of school environment in order to create an individualized plan (i.e. gripping a pencil, maneuvering a wheelchair in a classroom, playground activities etc.).

Initial assessment of needs and evaluate outcomes of provided services.

7. Type of test: Judgement-based questionnaire completed by one or more professionals who know the child well and have spent substantial time observing them in the school setting.

8. Target population: Kindergarten through 6th grade.

9. Time Requirements:

Approximately 90-120 minutes (Sakzewki et al)

As little as 5-10 minutes for individual scales (Pearson)

10. Administration:

Individuals who work with the student often complete a questionnaire based on their observation of the student.

Usually performed by multiple people to cover many different aspects and disciplines.

There are 3 parts to the SFA: participation, task supports & activity performance.

11. Scoring:

Part 1: 6 point scale

Part 2: 4 point scale

Part 3: 4 point scale

12. Type of information: Criterion-referenced

13. Environment for testing: School setting.

14. Equipment and Materials needed: User’s manual, record form & rating scale guide.

15. Examiner qualifications: Individuals who are familiar with the student and spend time with them regularly in the school setting.

16. Evidence of Reliability:

Part 1 (Participation): 0.70

Part 2 (Task Support): 0.68

Part 3 (Performance): 0.73      (Sakzewki et al)

17. Evidence of Validity: Comprehensive and relevant according to Pearson.

18. Strengths:

Specific information regarding functional strengths and limitations.

Special attention to patient with physical/sensory impairments.

Multidisciplinary focus.

19. Weaknesses:

Judgement-based

20. Clinical Applications: Helps to shape and individualize the specialized education these students are in need of.

21. Research article and summary:

Sakzewski L et al. Clinimetric properties of participation measures for 5- to 13- year-old children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2007. 49: 232-240.

This systematic review examined seven measures that analyze participation of children with cerebral palsy across different settings. Home, school and community were all addressed by these measures; however, our focus is on the SFA which evaluates nonacademic participation in the school setting.  The review specifically evaluated the use of these measures to identify participation barriers due to upper extremity limitation. The SFA was found to have the highest burden of administration but had evidence for internal consistency and high test-retest reliability.

22. Resources:

Pearson Education Inc.

http://www.pearsonclinical.com/therapy/products/100000547/school-function-assessment-sfa.html#tab-pricing

Overview of the School Function Assessment (Pearson Education Inc.):

http://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/assets/SFA/SFAOverview.pdf

SFA Technical Report (Pearson Education Inc.):

http://images.pearsonassessments.com/images/tmrs/tmrs_rg/SFA_TR_Web.pdf?WT.mc_id=TMRS_School_Function_Assessment

 

 

3 responses to “School Function Assessment (SFA)”

  1. aparr says:
    March 15, 2015 at 11:14 am

    I think it is fantastic that this outcome measure is to be performed in the school setting. Too often I believe that as Physical Therapist we forget that everything we measure must be applicable. Seeing as this outcome measure is looking at how non-academic activities may effect academic activities it is appropriate and important to analyze such activities in the respective settings they may actually have an effect on movement.

    I noticed that you mentioned one of the weaknesses is that the results of this outcome measure are judgement-based, I would love to see more objective measurements from this outcome measure so we can be sure our bias does not effect the outcomes seen.

    The large cost for this outcome measure is concerning and could definitely deter a large amount of PT’s from utilizing it rather than choosing alternate options.

  2. Saleh Ur Rahman says:
    March 16, 2016 at 1:38 am

    please help me to get a sample copy of blank copy of School Function Assessment form with out purchase, if any one can…

    if you can please sent it to bappy_crp@yahoo.com

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