Selecting Students for Pre-Algebra: Examination of the Relative Utility of the Anchorage Pre-Algebra Screening Tests and the State of Alaska Standards Based Benchmark 2 Mathematics Study. An Examination of Consequential Validity and Recommendation.

Autor/in	Fenton, Ray
Institution	Anchorage School District, AK.
Titel	Selecting Students for Pre-Algebra: Examination of the Relative Utility of the Anchorage Pre-Algebra Screening Tests and the State of Alaska Standards Based Benchmark 2 Mathematics Study. An Examination of Consequential Validity and Recommendation.
Quelle	(2002), (16 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Quantitative Daten; Algebra; Benchmarking; Comparative Analysis; Criteria; Middle School Students; Middle Schools; Selection; Student Placement; Test Use; Alaska + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Auslese; Schülerpraktikum; Testanwendung
Abstract	This study examined the relative efficacy of the Anchorage (Alaska) Pre-Algebra Test and the State of Alaska Benchmark in 2 Math examination as tools used in the process of recommending grade 6 students for grade 7 Pre-Algebra placement. The consequential validity of the tests is explored in the context of class placements and grades earned. The Pre-Algebra examination was developed as an element of the selection process, since about one third of the districts students enroll in Pre-Algebra in grade 7. Original cut scores were informally validated through the experience of middle school teachers and no need was found to modify the examination or change the cut scores. To compare the Anchorage test and the states test, data were used for 3,352 Anchorage students in grade 7 and correlations with the tests results and grade 8 grades overall were also determined. Scores on the examinations are highly related with a correlation of greater than 0.8 even though the Anchorage examination consists entirely of multiple choice questions and the Alaska Benchmark examination includes short-answer and extended response questions. Recommendations based on the two examinations would be highly similar. The Anchorage examination that was actually used to place students was only slightly better in predicting actual placement than the Alaska Benchmark examination. Results support the consequential validity of either examination for selection of students for Pre-Algebra. (Contains 12 tables and 3 references.) (SLD)
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC