A Psychometric Investigation of a Mathematics Placement Test at a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Gifted Residential High School PDF Download
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Author: Hannah Ruth Anderson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Ability grouping in education
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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Book Description
Educational institutions, at all levels, must justify their use of placement testing and confront questions of their impact on students' educational outcomes to assure all stakeholders that students are being enrolled in courses appropriate with their ability in order to maximize their chances of success (Linn, 1994; Mattern & Packman, 2009; McFate & Olmsted III, 1999; Norman, Medhanie, Harwell, Anderson, & Post, 2011; Wiggins, 1989). The aims of this research were to (1) provide evidence of Content Validity, (2) provide evidence of Construct Validity and Internal Consistency Reliability, (3) examine the item characteristics and potential bias of the items between males and females, and (4) provide evidence of Criterion-Related Validity by investigating the ability of the mathematics placement test scores to predict future performance in an initial mathematics course. Students' admissions portfolios and scores from the mathematics placement test were used to examine the aims of this research. Content Validity was evidenced through the use of a card-sorting task by internal and external subject matter experts. Results from Multidimensional Scaling and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis revealed a congruence of approximately 63 percent between the two group configurations. Next, an Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to investigate the underlying factor structure of themathematics placement test. Findings indicated a three factor structure of PreCalculus, Geometry, and Algebra 1, with moderate correlations between factors. Thirdly, an item analysis was conducted to explore the item parameters (i.e., item difficulty, and item discrimination) and to test for gender biases. Results from the item analysis suggested that the Algebra 1 and Geometry items were generally easy for the population of interest, while the PreCalculus items presented more of a challenge. Furthermore, the mathematics placement test was optimized by removing eleven items from the Algebra 1 factor and two items from the PreCalculus factor. All Internal Consistency Reliability estimates remained strong and ranged from .736 to .950. Finally, Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regressions were used to examine the relationship between students' total and factor scores from the mathematics placement test with students' performance in their first semester mathematics course. Findings from the four Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regressions demonstrate that the total score students' receive on the mathematics placement test predicts their achievement in their initial mathematics course, above and beyond the contributions of their demographic information and previous academic background. More specifically, the Algebra 1 Factor Score from the mathematics placement test was the strongest predictor of student success among the lower level mathematics courses (i.e., Mathematical Investigations I or II). Similarly, both the Algebra 1 and PreCalculus Factor Scores from the mathematics placement test were significant predictors of students' grades in their first upper level mathematics course (i.e., Mathematical Investigations III or IV), providing evidence of Predictive Validity. The current mathematics placement test and procedures appear appropriate for the population of interest given the empirical evidence demonstrated in this research study regarding the psychometric properties of the exam. The continued use of the revised mathematics placement test in the course placement decision-making process is advisable.
Author: Hannah Ruth Anderson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Ability grouping in education
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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Book Description
Educational institutions, at all levels, must justify their use of placement testing and confront questions of their impact on students' educational outcomes to assure all stakeholders that students are being enrolled in courses appropriate with their ability in order to maximize their chances of success (Linn, 1994; Mattern & Packman, 2009; McFate & Olmsted III, 1999; Norman, Medhanie, Harwell, Anderson, & Post, 2011; Wiggins, 1989). The aims of this research were to (1) provide evidence of Content Validity, (2) provide evidence of Construct Validity and Internal Consistency Reliability, (3) examine the item characteristics and potential bias of the items between males and females, and (4) provide evidence of Criterion-Related Validity by investigating the ability of the mathematics placement test scores to predict future performance in an initial mathematics course. Students' admissions portfolios and scores from the mathematics placement test were used to examine the aims of this research. Content Validity was evidenced through the use of a card-sorting task by internal and external subject matter experts. Results from Multidimensional Scaling and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis revealed a congruence of approximately 63 percent between the two group configurations. Next, an Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to investigate the underlying factor structure of themathematics placement test. Findings indicated a three factor structure of PreCalculus, Geometry, and Algebra 1, with moderate correlations between factors. Thirdly, an item analysis was conducted to explore the item parameters (i.e., item difficulty, and item discrimination) and to test for gender biases. Results from the item analysis suggested that the Algebra 1 and Geometry items were generally easy for the population of interest, while the PreCalculus items presented more of a challenge. Furthermore, the mathematics placement test was optimized by removing eleven items from the Algebra 1 factor and two items from the PreCalculus factor. All Internal Consistency Reliability estimates remained strong and ranged from .736 to .950. Finally, Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regressions were used to examine the relationship between students' total and factor scores from the mathematics placement test with students' performance in their first semester mathematics course. Findings from the four Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regressions demonstrate that the total score students' receive on the mathematics placement test predicts their achievement in their initial mathematics course, above and beyond the contributions of their demographic information and previous academic background. More specifically, the Algebra 1 Factor Score from the mathematics placement test was the strongest predictor of student success among the lower level mathematics courses (i.e., Mathematical Investigations I or II). Similarly, both the Algebra 1 and PreCalculus Factor Scores from the mathematics placement test were significant predictors of students' grades in their first upper level mathematics course (i.e., Mathematical Investigations III or IV), providing evidence of Predictive Validity. The current mathematics placement test and procedures appear appropriate for the population of interest given the empirical evidence demonstrated in this research study regarding the psychometric properties of the exam. The continued use of the revised mathematics placement test in the course placement decision-making process is advisable.
Author: Andrew Izsak
Publisher: National Council of Teachers of English
ISBN: 9780873539807
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 195
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Book Description
The fifteenth Journal for Research in Mathematics Education monograph had its origins in a conference titled An Interdisciplinary Conference on Assessment in K--12 Mathematics: Collaborations Between Mathematics Education and Psychometrics, which was held in 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The basis for the conference was the renaissance in the field of psychometrics in which an increasing variety of psychometric models are becoming available through advances in computer hardware and software. This is opening new avenues for studying the mathematical knowledge of teachers and students. The overarching purpose of the monograph is to guide further interdisciplinary collaborations between mathematics education researchers and psychometricians by examining theoretical and conceptual issues that have arisen in recent efforts to apply contemporary psychometric models to mathematics education research. Specifically, its chapters are intended to (a) illustrate for mathematics education researchers the two main categories of psychometric models-models that locate individuals along continua and models that place individuals into discrete groups, as well as hybrids of these approaches; (b) provide examples that apply these different categories of psychometric models to mathematics education research; (c) illustrate how researchers have selected different psychometric models on the basis of the researchers' goals and (d) demonstrate issues related to item development. With these goals in mind, the monograph will enhance an awareness among mathematics education researchers that it is increasingly possible to select from a variety of model options when pursuing particular research goals and that choosing among models involves trade-offs.
Author: Nicholas Colangelo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 180
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Book Description
Author: Susan G. Assouline
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
ISBN: 0996160329
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 665
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Book Description
This new report, A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America's Brightest Students builds on the momentum of the 2004 report, A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Brightest Students. A Nation Deceived initiated a critical dialogue about academic acceleration, an under-used intervention. A Nation Deceived exposed to the nation the inconsistencies between research and practice and brought acceleration to prominence in the field. Volume 1 and 2 of A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America's Brightest Students equips students, families, and educators with facts to refute biased excuses. A Nation Empowered shifts the impetus from conversation to action. Empowerement galvanizes determination with evidence. Volume 1 portrays the determination of students, educators, and parents to strive for excellence. Volume 2 reveals the evidence that trumps the excuses that hold bright students back.
Author: Florence Mihaela Singer
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319394509
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 50
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Book Description
This open access Topical Survey offers a brief overview of the current state of research on and activities for mathematically gifted students around the world. This is of interest to a broad readership, including educational researchers, research mathematicians, mathematics teachers, teacher educators, curriculum designers, doctoral students, and other stakeholders. It first discusses research concerning the nature of mathematical giftedness, including theoretical frameworks and methodologies that are helpful in identifying and/or creating mathematically gifted students, which is described in this section. It also focuses on research on and the development of mathematical talent and innovation in students, including connections between cognitive, social and affective aspects of mathematically gifted students. Exemplary teaching and learning practices, curricula and a variety of programs that contribute to the development of mathematical talent, gifts, and passion are described as well as the pedagogy and mathematics content suitable for educating pre-service and in-service teachers of mathematically gifted students. The final section provides a brief summary of the paper along with suggestions for the research, activities, and resources that should be available to support mathematically gifted students and their teachers, parents, and other stakeholders.
Author: Lawrence Andrew Metcalf
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 260
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Book Description
Author: Iowa State University. Department of Mathematics
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
Mailed to high school teachers of mathematics and high school counselors to show level of mathematics in placement examinations taken by students entering the University.
Author: Susan G. Assouline
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
ISBN: 0996160337
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 178
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Book Description
This new report, A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America's Brightest Students builds on the momentum of the 2004 report, A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Brightest Students. A Nation Deceived initiated a critical dialogue about academic acceleration, an under-used intervention. A Nation Deceived exposed to the nation the inconsistencies between research and practice and brought acceleration to prominence in the field. Volume 1 and 2 of A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America's Brightest Students equips students, families, and educators with facts to refute biased excuses. A Nation Empowered shifts the impetus from conversation to action. Empowerement galvanizes determination with evidence. Volume 1 portrays the determination of students, educators, and parents to strive for excellence. Volume 2 reveals the evidence that trumps the excuses that hold bright students back.
Author: Russell Thomas Warne
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
Above-level testing is the practice administering a test level--of usually an academic achievement or aptitude test--to a gifted or high achieving child. This procedure is widely accepted in gifted education circles, on the basis of theoretical claims that above-level testing raises the test ceiling, increases variability among gifted students' scores, improves reliability of data, reduces regression toward the mean, and improves interpretation of data from gifted students. However, above-level testing has not been subject to careful psychometric scrutiny. In this study, I examine reliability data, growth trajectories, distributions, and group differences of above-level test scores obtained from the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) and Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED). Subjects in this study were 224 students tested a total of 435 times while enrolled in a gifted magnet program for middle schoolers. Longitudinal analyses performed with hierarchical linear modeling indicate that substantial differences exist between students from overrepresented ethnicities (White and Asian Americans) and those from underrepresented ethnicities (Hispanic and African Americans) in both initial scores and the rate of score gains. Gender differences existed only for the rate of score increases for above-level reading scores. Socioeconomic differences existed, but did not have a unique impact beyond that of the ethnicity variable. A discussion of the place of these results within the wider gifted education research context and suggestions for further research are included. An appendix to the study gives information about item difficulty indexes for every item in the ITBS/ITED core battery for the eighth, ninth, and tenth grade levels of Form C.
Author: Yupin Bae
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 112
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Book Description
This statistical report responds to a request by Congress for a report on educational equity for girls and women. The report assembles a series of indicators that examine the extent to which males and females have access to the same educational opportunities, avail themselves of these opportunities, perform at the same level, succeed at the same rate, and obtain the same benefits. Data are drawn mainly from surveys conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics. The report begins with an overview that summarizes the major findings. A series of 44 indicators follows, beginning with preparation for school and moving through elementary and secondary education to postsecondary education, with a consideration of outcomes of education. Data show that in school and in college females are now doing as well or better than males on many indicators, and that the large gaps in educational attainment that once existed between men and women have in most cases been eliminated, and in others have significantly decreased. Women continue to lag behind males in mathematics and science achievement in high school, and they are less likely to major in these fields in college. Women are still under-represented in doctoral and first-degree professional programs, although they have made substantial gains in the last 25 years. (Contains 57 tables and 63 figures.) (SLD)
