Examining Testing and Growth Mindset in High School Social Studies Students

Testing has been a contested aspect of education for decades. The way in which testing, standardized tests, and student motivations correlate is a separate issue. This action research study investigates the relationship between pre-tests and students’ perception of their personal growth. Three classes of 11th grade U.S. History were utilized to collect data from a total of 80 students (N=80). Participants completed one pre-test every two weeks throughout the semester. At the end of the semester, students completed a questionnaire to examine their perceptions of frequent pre-testing, and of whether assessments influenced their learning and personal growth. The researchers sought to examine if interim testing impacted student motivation towards standardized testing in a social studies classroom.

Improvised Long Test Lengths via Stitching Scale Bar Method:

Performance verifications of laser tracker systems (LTSs) often rely on calibrated length artifacts that are 2.3 m in length or more, as specified in International Standards Organization (ISO) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards. The 2.3 m length is chosen as the minimum length that will sufficiently expose inaccuracy in LTSs. Embodiment of these artifacts often comes in the form of scale bars, fixed monuments, or a laser rail. In National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Internal Report (IR) 8016, which was published in 2014 and discusses interim testing of LTSs, it was shown that a scale bar with three nests spaced 1.15 m apart was sufficient for exposing errors in LTSs. In that case, the LTS was placed symmetrically with respect to the scale bar so that both a 2.3 m symmetrical length and a 1.15 m asymmetrical length were presented to the LTS. This paper will evaluate whether a scale bar that is only 1.15 m in length can sufficiently expose errors within the LTS when it is stitched together to create a 2.3 m long test length.

Growth intercept models for black spruce, jack pine and balsam fir in Quebec

The objective of this study was to develop variable growth intercept models for coniferous species of major importance in Quebec using Nigh's (1997a) modelling technique. Eighty-three, 68, and 70 stem analysis plots of black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill) were used, respectively. The growth intercept models for black spruce were the most precise, followed by those for jack pine and finally by those for balsam fir, based on the root mean square errors. Results indicated that the accuracy of the models was good, relative to those previously published for other species in Canada. Interim testing of the models revealed a low mean error for all three species that may not be of practical significance for site index determination, although more data should be obtained to further test the models. Key words: balsam fir, black spruce, growth intercept, jack pine, model, nonlinear regression, site index

Modèles de croissance internodale pour l'épinette noire, le pin gris et le sapin baumier au Québec

The objective of this study was to develop variable growth intercept models for coniferous species of major importance in Quebec using Nigh's (1997a) modelling technique. Eighty-three, 68 and 70 stem analysis plots of black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill) were used, respectively. The growth intercept models for black spruce were the most precise, followed by those for jack pine and finally by those for balsam fir, based on the root mean square errors. Results indicated that the accuracy of the models was good, relative to those previously published for other species in Canada. Interim testing of the models revealed a low mean error for all three species that may not be of practical significance for site index determination, although more data should be obtained to further test the models. Key words: balsam fir, black spruce, growth intercept, jack pine, model, nonlinear regression, site index

Analytical Procedures and Audit-Planning Decisions

This study examines auditors' decisions to revise preliminary audit plans after analytical procedures performed during interim testing reveal significant, unexpected fluctuations. We examine the effects of two variables on these decisions: (1) the presence or absence of an explicit incentive for management to misstate the financial statements, and (2) the degree to which management's explanation for the fluctuation is independently corroborated. We hypothesize that these two variables interact. Auditors will be more likely to increase their planned tests when there is minimal corroboration of management's explanation for the fluctuation and there is an explicit incentive for management to misrepresent the financial statements. The results of an experiment are consistent with this hypothesis. While our results suggest that auditors are more likely to revise audit plans in these conditions, we also find that a relatively high proportion of auditors do not revise their plans when faced with increased audit risk signaled by significant, unexpected fluctuations. Future research is needed to better understand auditors' reluctance to expand testing and whether this reluctance jeopardizes audit effectiveness.