ERIC Number: EJ1316108
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Nov
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-6803
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Validating a Student Assessment of Mathematical Modeling at Elementary School Level
Turner, Erin E.; Chen, Mei-Kuang; Roth McDuffie, Amy; Smith, James E.; Aguirre, Julia; Foote, Mary Q.; Bennett, Amy Been
School Science and Mathematics, v121 n7 p408-421 Nov 2021
While research suggests that mathematical modeling is accessible to elementary grade students, questions remain about how to assess modeling competency. Our research addresses this need through the systemic design and empirical testing of a Mathematical Modeling Student Assessment (MMSA) for elementary grades 3 through 5. Research questions focus on validity evidence for the MMSA based on test content, response process, internal structure, and relationship to other variables, as well as reliability evidence. Data sources included student interviews, MMSA post assessments and state level standardized assessments. We paid particular attention to evidence of internal structure to understand the extent to which a holistic versus an atomistic conceptualization of mathematical modeling competency was empirically supported by the data. We found that MMSA items provided sufficient coverage to provide accurate information about a range of modeling competencies. The MMSA had high reliability and low standard error for average modeling competency which supports its use for grades 3 to 5. Correlations between MMSA trait-level estimates and standardized assessment scores indicate the MMSA captures overlapping but distinct competencies specific to modeling. We discuss implications for teaching modeling and directions for future research on the development of modeling assessments in the elementary grades.
Descriptors: Elementary School Students, Mathematical Models, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Mathematics Tests, Test Validity, Test Reliability, Mathematics Skills
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 3; Primary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A