ERIC Number: EJ1013944
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1062-9017
EISSN: N/A
Validating a Written Instrument for Assessing Students' Fractions Schemes and
Operations
Wilkins, Jesse L. M.; Norton, Anderson; Boyce, Steven J.
Mathematics Educator, v22 n2 p31-54 2013
Previous research has documented schemes and operations that undergird students' understanding of fractions. This prior research was based, in large part, on small-group teaching experiments. However, written assessments are needed in order for teachers and researchers to assess students' ways of operating on a whole-class scale. In this study, scores from written instruments used to assess students' fractions schemes and operations were examined for validity and reliability. Scores from the written assessments were correlated with scores from clinical interviews of 33 sixth graders. Results suggest that the written instruments provide reliable and valid measures for assessing the partitive unit fraction scheme and the splitting operation. However, there is no such evidence regarding the partitive fraction scheme. Implications for teachers and researchers are considered, and possible explanations for the scores from the written assessments related to the partitive fraction scheme are discussed. (Contains 3 tables, 5 figures, and 4 endnotes.)
Descriptors: Test Validity, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical Concepts, Evaluation Methods, Scores, Grade 6, Mathematics Tests, Test Reliability, Mathematics Skills, Written Language, Student Evaluation, Interviews, Interrater Reliability
Mathematics Education Student Association, University of Georgia. 105 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602. Tel: 706-542-4194; Fax: 706-542-4551; e-mail: mesaprez@gmail.com; Web site: http://math.coe.uga.edu/Mesa/MESA.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A