Initial Development and Validation of the Student Engagement Scale

Abstract

Student engagement is crucial for academic success, yet its measurement in Indonesia often overlooks proactive or agentic engagement. This study aims to validate the Student Engagement Scale (SES) using a four-dimensional framework (behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and agentic) within the context of university students. Employing a quantitative approach, data were evaluated from 418 university students recruited through convenience sampling. Psychometric testing included content validity, response processes, internal structure (Confirmatory Factor Analysis), and reliability testing. The results indicated that the 40 final items possessed ideal convergent validity (SLF ≥ 0.50; AVE > 0.50). The four-dimensional measurement model proved to be highly consistent with the empirical data (Chi-square = 0.202; RMSEA = 0.010; CFI = 0.957; TLI = 0.954; SRMR = 0.036) and highly reliable (ω = 0.8354; α = 0.8399). The limitations of this study include the restriction of sampling to a single institution, the collection of evidence based on response processes being limited to readability testing, and the absence of external criterion validity testing. Overall, the Indonesian version of the SES is a valid and reliable instrument. Future studies are recommended to apply probability sampling across multiple universities and to test the predictive validity of the instrument against external indicators.