ERIC Number: EJ1138284
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2331-186X
EISSN: N/A
The Role of PS Ability and RC Skill in Predicting Growth Trajectories of Mathematics Achievement
Vista, Alvin
Cogent Education, v3 n1 Article 1222720 2016
There are relatively few studies in Australia and South-East Asian region that combine investigating models of math growth trajectories with predictors such as reasoning ability and reading comprehension skills. Math achievement is one of the major components of overall academic achievement and it is important to determine what factors (especially domain-general factors) predict levels of achievement over time. This study presents large-scale data (N = 5,886) from Australia to examine the trajectories of growth in math achievement and how problem solving (PS) ability and reading comprehension (RC) skills predict this growth among government school students (grades 3-8) in Victoria. Latent growth modelling showed that PS ability predicts growth in math achievement and this relationship is partially mediated by RC skill. Both PS ability and RC skill predict initial status in math achievement, but only PS ability predicts growth. The data also fit a model in which an improvement in general reasoning ability of students allows those with lower initial levels in math achievement to catch up. This can be interpreted as evidence that improving growth rates in PS ability may lift growth rates in math achievement.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Predictor Variables, Models, Mathematics Achievement, Correlation, Abstract Reasoning, Item Response Theory, National Competency Tests, Measures (Individuals), Longitudinal Studies, Data Analysis, Elementary Secondary Education, Statistical Analysis
Cogent OA. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A