ERIC Number: EJ1191849
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-6065
EISSN: N/A
Measuring Early Mathematics Knowledge via Number Skills and Task Types
Shanley, Lina; Clarke, Ben; Doabler, Christian; Kurtz-Nelson, Evangeline; Fien, Hank
Mathematical Thinking and Learning: An International Journal, v20 n4 p324-336 2018
Early number skills are a critical aspect of early mathematics development. However, the constructs that comprise early number skills differ across assessments, and previous studies have proposed various models of early mathematics skills comprised of formal and informal tasks. This study explored the factor structure of a researcher-developed measure of mathematics administered to a large, geographically diverse sample of kindergarten students at risk for mathematics difficulty (n = 580) in a randomized control trial. Consistent with previous research, factors representing early number skills and task types emerged. Importantly though, the best fitting model was one in which both skill types (e.g., number identification, magnitude comparison) and task types (i.e., informal and formal) were modeled. The inclusion of task type as a factor in early mathematics assessment has many potentially important ramifications. Recommendations for attending to task types when assessing early number skills, and implications for instruction and measurement are discussed.
Descriptors: Number Concepts, Mathematics Skills, Kindergarten, At Risk Students, Test Construction, Factor Structure, Measures (Individuals)
Routledge. 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: Kindergarten
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324A120304