scholarly journals An Examination of Algebra for All through Historic Context and Statewide Assessment Data

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-20
Author(s):  
Jian-Hua Liang ◽  
Paul E. Heckman
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
College Preparation ◽  
Algebra For All ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
Mathematics Tests ◽  
Mathematics Test ◽  
Statewide Assessment ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Algebra Achievement

Since 2003, California has enacted a policy through its education accountability system that encourages schools and districts to place all 8th grade students into algebra courses and therefore, be tested in algebra in the statewide assessment program. Ten years later, there are a great many more 8th graders taking algebra now. However, there are also many students repeating algebra, instead of going on taking higher level mathematics tests. This article aims to provide the historic context of this policy, previous and recent studies on 8th grade algebra, and our study based on the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) data. We analyzed 8th grade algebra test-taking and the following years� higher level mathematics test-taking to examine the college preparation course taking pipeline. Our longitudinal study compared two groups of students� performance on 9th grade algebra between those who previously scored below proficient on algebra at 8th grade and those who scored proficient or above on general mathematics at 8th grade. Further, another longitudinal study linked 7th grade mathematics sub-scores to 8th grade algebra achievement. The results show that �algebra for all� policy increased the number of students taking algebra at 8th grade and subsequently, taking higher level mathematics tests. However, the pipeline of the college preparation course taking has a significant leak because the number of students taking higher level mathematics decreased dramatically after algebra. Longitudinal study shows that students who pass the general mathematics test at 8th grade have a 69% greater chance to pass the algebra test at 9th grade compared to their peers who failed the algebra test at 8th grade. We also find that the sub-score rational numbers is a strong predictor of 8th grade algebra achievement. Alternatives to help all students achieve in mathematics learning are also discussed in addition to recommendations for future research.

Prior Year’s Predictors of Eighth-Grade Algebra Achievement

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Hua Liang ◽  
Paul E. Heckman ◽  
Jamal Abedi
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Eighth Graders ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Eighth Grade ◽  
Seventh Grade ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Mathematics Test ◽  
Statewide Assessment ◽  
Major Predictor ◽  
Algebra Achievement

This study examines the power of cognitive and noncognitive variables to predict students’ performance in algebra. We investigated students’ prior year’s assessment scores and demographic characteristics to predict eighth-grade algebra scores. Using California statewide assessment data, we explored predictive factors in three regression models. These analyses reveal that the seventh-grade mathematics test scores account for 61% of the variance in eighth graders’ algebra test scores. Analyzing subscores of the seventh-grade mathematics test, the assessment content focus of rational numbers is a major predictor, contributing 48% of the variance in eighth graders’ algebra test scores. On the other hand, students’ demographic variables show little predictive power for eighth-grade algebra scores. This study provides empirical evidence for understanding the factors that impact a student’s success in learning algebra.

Importance of Video Aids’ Usage in Teaching and Learning Process of English Language Classes

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eriselda Vrapi ◽  
Xhevdet Zekaj
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Communicative Skills ◽  
English Curriculum ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
8Th Grade

This study aims to explore the use of video in English language teaching (ELT) elementary school (grades 8 to 9)... In addition, the thesis aims to find out how videos in English lessons helped to achieve the goals of English curriculum. The main hypothesis was that teaching with video would develop pupils’ communicative skills and, therefore, was appropriate for the communicative approach to ELT. The study addressed five research questions regarding the use of videos in English lessons in the case study school: why the teachers used videos in ELT, what kinds of videos were used in English lessons, how and how often videos were used, what was taught and learned through the use of videos and, finally, what the teachers’ and pupils’ attitudes to lessons with videos were. The research was performed as a case study at an Elbasan elementary school. The data for the research was obtained through the use of mixed methods: qualitative, in the form of interviews with four English teachers and observations of three of the interviewed teachers’ lessons with videos, and quantitative, in the form of a pupil questionnaire answered by 105 pupils from two 8th grade and two 9th grade classes.

Stepfamily Involvement in and out of School and (Step)children’s College Preparation Behaviors: A Latent Cluster Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2199387
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Bible ◽  
David T. Lardier ◽  
Frank Perrone ◽  
Brad van Eeden-Moorefield
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
College Preparation ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Educational Experiences ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Out Of School

Using a latent class analysis (LCA) with data from a subsample of children in stepfamilies ( N = 6,637) from the 2009 High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS), this study examined how stepfamily involvement in their (step)child’s education in and outside of school influenced their (step)child’s college preparation. Stepfamily involvement in their (step)child’s education in school (e.g., help with homework) and outside of school (e.g., educational experiences such as going to a museum) may help overcome challenges associated with academic and college preparation for children in stepfamilies. Results broadly indicate students with higher stepfamily involvement in education in and out of school had (step)parents who believed that college was attainable, students engaged in more activities that would prepare them for their future, and students took more AP/IB level courses and tests. Together, findings suggest that stepfamily involvement in education both in and out of school is important for their (step)child’s college preparation behaviors.

scholarly journals Internet use at and outside of school in relation to low- and high-stakes mathematics test scores across 3 years

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitri Rozgonjuk ◽  
Karin Täht ◽  
Kristjan Vassil
Keyword(s):  
Technology Use ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mathematics Scores ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
12Th Grade ◽  
Mathematics Test ◽  
Exam Scores

Abstract Background The excessive use of Internet-based technologies has received a considerable attention over the past years. Despite this, there is relatively little research on how general Internet usage patterns at and outside of school as well as on weekends may be associated with mathematics achievement. Moreover, only a handful of studies have implemented a longitudinal or repeated-measures approach on this research question. The aim of the current study was to fill that gap. Specifically, we investigated the potential associations of Internet use at and outside of school as well as on weekends with mathematics test performance in both high- and low-stakes testing conditions over a period of 3 years in a representative sample of Estonian teenagers. Methods PISA 2015 survey data in conjunction with national educational registry data were used for the current study. Specifically, Internet use at and outside of school as well as on weekends were queried during the PISA 2015 survey. In addition, the data set included PISA mathematics test results from 4113 Estonian 9th-grade students. Furthermore, 3758 of these students also had a 9th-grade national mathematics exam score from a couple of months after the PISA survey. Finally, of these students, the results of 12th-grade mathematics national exam scores were available for 1612 and 1174 students for “wide” (comprehensive) and “narrow” (less comprehensive) mathematics exams, respectively. Results The results showed that the rather low-stakes PISA mathematics test scores correlated well with the high-stakes national mathematics exam scores obtained from the 9th (completed a couple of months after the PISA survey) and 12th grade (completed approximately 3 years after the PISA survey), with correlation values ranging from r = .438 to .557. Furthermore, socioeconomic status index was positively correlated with all mathematics scores (ranging from r = .162 to .305). Controlled for age and gender, the results also showed that students who reported using Internet the longest tended to have, on average, the lowest mathematics scores in all tests across 3 years. Although effect sizes were generally small, they seemed to be more pronounced in Internet use at school. Conclusions Based on these results, one may notice that significantly longer time spent on Internet use at and outside of school as well as on weekends may be associated with poorer mathematics performance. These results are somewhat in line with research outlining the potentially negative associations between longer time spent on digital technology use and daily life outcomes.

scholarly journals Yhteiskuntaopin opetus ja poliittinen kiinnittyminen peruskoulun yläluokilla

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miikka Korventausta ◽  
Tero Järvinen ◽  
Tomi Jaakkola ◽  
Marjaana Veermans
Keyword(s):  
Social Studies ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Civic Education ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Political Knowledge ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Lower Secondary School ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
8Th Grade

Artikkelissa raportoitavan tutkimuksen kohteena on peruskoulun yhteiskuntaopin opetuksen yhteys nuorten poliittiseen kiinnittymiseen, joka jaetaan tutkimuksessa neljään ulottuvuuteen: poliittiseen kiinnostukseen, poliittiseen tietämykseen ja itsearvioon tietämyksestä, poliittiseen osallistumishalukkuuteen sekä politiikkaa koskeviin käsityksiin. Tutkimusaineistona on peruskoulun yläkouluikäisten nuorten vastaukset poliittista kiinnittymistä mittaavaan kyselyyn kahtena eri ajankohtana. Osallistujat olivat ensimmäisen mittauksen aikana kahdeksannella luokalla (n = 67) ja toisen mittauksen aikana yhdeksännellä luokalla (n = 63). Nuoret opiskelivat mittausten välillä lukuvuoden ajan yhteiskuntaoppia ensimmäistä kertaa koulu-urallaan. Tulosten mukaan nuorten poliittinen kiinnostus, tietämys ja itsearvio tietämyksestä olivat 9. luokalla tilastollisesti korkeampia kuin 8. luokalla. Osallistumishalukkuudessa ei havaittu eroja ikäryhmien välillä, ja politiikkaa koskevien käsitysten osalta eroja ilmeni yhden väitteen kohdalla. 8.-luokkalaiset pitivät kotia tärkeimpänä lähteenä oppia tietoja yhteiskunnallisten asioiden ymmärtämiseksi, kun taas 9.-luokkalaisille koulu oli keskeisin tietolähde yhteiskunnallisten asioiden oppimisessa. Tulosten mukaan koulu näyttäisi onnistuvan yhteiskunnallisen kasvatuksen tavoitteissaan vain osittain. Jatkossa olisi tärkeää kiinnittää huomiota siihen, miten koulussa voitaisiin tukea tiedollisten sisältöjen oppimisen lisäksi nuorten yhteiskunnallista osallistumista edistävien valmiuksien omaksumista.   Social studies and political engagement in lower secondary school Abstract In this article, interest is directed at the connection between the teaching of social studies subject at school and young people’s political engagement. In the present study, political engagement is seen as consisting of the following four dimensions: the political interest, political knowledge and self-assessment of political knowledge, willingness to participate, and perceptions of politics. The study data consists of two surveys targeted at lower secondary school students. The study participants were in the 8th grade during the first measurement (n = 67), and in the 9th grade during the second measurement (n = 63). The participants studied social studies for one school year between the measurements. The results showed that students’ political interest, knowledge and self-assessment of knowledge were statistically higher in the 9th grade than they were in the 8th grade. No differences were observed between the age groups concerning willingness to participate, and differences in the perceptions of politics were observed for one claim. While among 8th graders home circle was seen as the most important source to learn about society and politics, in the responses of the 9th graders the most important source of knowledge was school. According to results, it seems that school is successful in its task of civic education only partly. We suggest that in the future it would be important to pay more attention to support not only the gaining of political knowledge, but also to promote the development of the qualities needed in active societal participation. Keywords: social studies, political engagement, youth, civic education  

scholarly journals Self-Efficacy Appraisals and Test-Taking Behavior of Students from Culturally Diverse Populations

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menucha Birenbaum ◽  
Fadia Nasser-Abu Alhija
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Mathematics Curriculum ◽  
Achievement Level ◽  
Score Distribution ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
Mathematics Test ◽  
8Th Graders ◽  
Diverse Groups

This study examined the relationships between self-efficacy calibration and test-taking behavior as measured by the percentage of skipped items, unreached items, and incorrect responses on a mathematics test. Jewish and Arab 8th graders in four achievement levels, as defined by quartiles of the test score distribution, were compared with respect to their mathematics self-efficacy and their test-taking behavior. The results indicated that in every achievement level Arab students as compared to their Jewish counterparts tended to report higher levels of self-efficacy and to attempt more items on the test, which resulted in a higher rate of incorrect responses. The results support previous research findings pointing to the detrimental effect that overestimation of SE has on performance. The results were discussed with reference to the metacognitive processes involved in estimation of self-efficacy and in test performance. The identified gaps between the two ethnic groups were discussed in light of the learning culture that characterizes each of them. The contribution of the Israeli context, whereby students from two culturally diverse groups study according to the same mathematics curriculum but in separate schools, to understanding factors underlying culture-related group differences in mathematics test performance was underscored.

Does External Accountability Affect Student Outcomes? A Cross-State Analysis

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Carnoy ◽  
Susanna Loeb
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
High School Completion ◽  
High Stakes Testing ◽  
Completion Rates ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
School Completion ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Math Test

We developed a zero-to-five index of the strength of accountability in 50 states based on the use of high-stakes testing to sanction and reward schools, and analyzed whether that index is related to student gains on the NAEP mathematics test in 1996–2000. The study also relates the index to changes in student retention in the 9th grade and to changes in high school completion rates over the same period. The results show that students in high-accountability states averaged significantly greater gains on the NAEP 8th-grade math test than students in states with little or no state measures to improve student performance. Furthermore, students in high-accountability states do not have significantly higher retention or lower high school completion rates.

scholarly journals Does Parental Mediation of Technology Use Moderate the Associations between Cyber Aggression Involvement and Substance Use? A Three-Year Longitudinal Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 2425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle F. Wright ◽  
Sebastian Wachs
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Parental Mediation ◽  
Cyber Victimization ◽  
Cyber Aggression ◽  
8Th Grade

The goal of this three-year longitudinal study was to examine the buffering effect of parental mediation of adolescents’ technology use (i.e., restrictive, co-viewing, and instructive) on the relationships among cyber aggression involvement and substance use (i.e., alcohol use, marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and non-marijuana illicit drug use). Overall, 867 (Mage = 13.67, age range from 13–15 years, 51% female, 49% White) 8th grade adolescents from the Midwestern United States participated in this study during the 6th grade (Wave 1), 7th grade (Wave 2), and 8th grade (Wave 3). Results revealed that higher levels of Wave 2 instructive mediation weakened the association between Wave 1 cyber victimization and Wave 3 alcohol use and Wave 3 non-marijuana illicit drug use. The relationship was stronger between Wave 1 cyber victimization and Wave 3 alcohol use and Wave 3 non-marijuana illicit drug use when adolescents reported lower levels of Wave 2 instructive mediation. At lower levels of Wave 2 instructive mediation, the association between Wave 1 cyber aggression perpetration and Wave 3 non-marijuana illicit drug use was stronger. Implications of these findings are discussed in the context of parents recognizing their role in helping to mitigate the negative consequences associated with adolescents’ cyber aggression involvement.

Psychological Set in Relation to the Construction of Mathematics Tests

1969 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 636-638
Author(s):  
Jay M. Jeffery
Keyword(s):  
Mathematics Tests ◽  
Mathematics Test ◽  
New Knowledge

A MATHEMATICS test intended to in dicate the amount of retention of new knowledge and the ability of students to apply new skills can yield biased results as a consequence of ignoring the effects of psychological set. Psychological set is defined here as the tendency of a person to behave in a mechanical way, repeating a process in situation after situation whether the process is applicable or not. A test biased in this way will often favor the student with an ability to resist set formation, and it will often work against those who tend to be more vulnerable to set formation.

scholarly journals Social Representations about Safety among Students and Teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-82
Author(s):  
E.N. Gilemkhanova
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
School Students ◽  
Central System ◽  
9Th Grade ◽  
The Social ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
New Research

The relevance of the study is due to the role that social ideas play in the regulation of behavior and the formation of a system of relations among subjects of the educational environment in conditions of special attention to the safety of the educational environment of the school, provoked by destructive precedents among young people (school shooting, near-football, bullying, anarchism, neo-Nazism, etc.). J. Abric’s “Central system, peripheral system” concept was the theoretical framework of this study of ZhK. Aprica. The research hypothesis was based on the idea that violations of the psychological safety of the educational environment are caused by the problem of correlating nuclear and peripheral social representations about safety among different participants in educational settings. We use the prototypical analysis of P. Verges to study social representations of safety. The study sample was 137 students of the 7th grade (72 male, 65 female), 416 students of the 8th grade (201 male, 215 female), 490 students of the 9th grade (201 male, 289 female), 154 students of the 10th grade (84 male, 70 female), 117 students of the 11th grade (50 male, 67 female) and 20 teachers (1 male, 19 female). The results of the study demonstrate that 1) according to social representations about safety, students and teachers have diametrically opposed views on the role of the teacher in ensuring a safe educational environment; 2) students, who highly assess the safety of the educational environment, have active external and internal protection social representations about safety; students who rate the safety of the educational environment, have social representations in the context of passive protection; 3) the analysis of three age categories shows a tendency of the social representations about safety from the norm (students in grades 7-8) through external protection (high school students) to the internal individual resources (high school students and teachers). The new research data obtained on the peculiarities of representations about the safety of students and teachers can become the basis for understanding the growing tension in the field of the safety of the educational environment and the frequent incidents of its violation.

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