This article presents a novel exploratory multigroup approach that quantifies relative group differences within an item response theory framework using tools from functional data analysis. Specifically, examinee groups are formed using different clustering methodologies based on background and attitudinal variable profiles. Item parameters for the…

Publishing data on individual schools is becoming a common practice in more and more countries. Based on an extensive study of literature and interviews with experts in England, Scotland, The Netherlands, and France, this article reveals that publishing individual school data is not only a contested but also a very complex affair. Different…

The present study aims (1) to investigate the specific study strategies that may lead to a success in Matriculation as well as at University; and (2) to investigate whether these study strategies that are effective in Matriculation also work efficiently at University. A revised version of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI,…

An instrument for measuring the complexity of learning tasks in the field of Law was developed and tested in 3 experiments. In Experiments 1 and 2, teachers used the card-sort method to rate the complexity of learning tasks. Based on the outcomes, a benchmark scale with 4 criterion tasks was used in Experiment 3. The results showed the benchmark…

Although the relationship between attitudes toward reading and reading achievement has been well documented, the causal relationship between these constructs remains unclear. Using longitudinal covariance structure modeling, this study tested the hypothesis that 3 reading-related constructs in the primary grades (2nd-3rd grade) - reading attitude,…

In Flanders, 2 classes per school were selected to participate in TIMSS. Therefore, a multilevel model with an intermediate level could be implemented. The data collection was extended with additional questionnaires and an intelligence test. The empty model revealed that 57% of the variance of mathematics scores was situated at the student level,…

South African pupils performed well below the TIMSS international average in 1995 and 1999 and significantly below all other countries (including the other African countries) in the 1999 study. Path analysis, namely Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis, was applied to the South African TIMSS-R data to explore the effect of contextual factors at…

Using multivariate discriminant analysis and the data from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1999, this paper made 5 individual comparisons between the U.S. middle school system and 5 Asian middle school systems, which have typically been top ranked in mathematics and science achievement scores. The discriminant…

International studies in education provide researchers with opportunities to examine how students with both similar and dissimilar formal education systems perform on a single test and provide rich information about the relationships among student outcomes and the factors that affect them. Using hierarchical linear regression techniques and TIMSS…

After a drastic mathematics curriculum change in The Netherlands in 1993, a study on the alignment of intended, implemented, and attained curriculum was carried out using TIMSS-99. For benchmarking, identical instruments were used in a neighboring country (Flanders), and for science. Two innovative methodological features were: (1) the teachers'…

This study examined the effect of complexity of problems on the degree of disparity between intuitive (PDM) and computer-assisted (DSS) decision-making. 840 teachers chose intuitive solutions for educational dilemmas, and recorded the relative importance of the guiding criteria. Utilizing this information, DSS calculated preferred solutions. Of…

This research project investigated the relationship between students' pre-entry characteristics, perceptions of the learning environment, reported work discipline, the use of deep information processing strategies, and academic achievement. Ability measured by grade-point average in pre-university education was the most important predictor of…

The goal of this longitudinal study was to examine which skills in early literacy determine the development of word recognition, reading comprehension, and spelling in the 2nd grade of the elementary school. A cohort of pupils was followed and tested during the 2nd year of kindergarten and the beginning of the 1st and 2nd grade. It appeared that…

This study examined a structural model of mathematics achievement of 2 culturally different groups of Jewish and Arab 8th graders in terms of 5 learner-related variables, namely, gender, epistemological beliefs, self-efficacy, attitudes, and mathematics anxiety. Multigroup structural modeling analysis indicated that the goodness of fit of the…

Plagiarism by students is an increasing problem at higher education institutions. However, the development of academic misconduct policies has done little to reduce the incidence of plagiarism as many incidents result from ignorance and poor skill development rather than intentional misconduct. Our purpose in embarking on this research project was…