Improving the Measurement of School Climate Using Item Response Theory

The U.S. government has become increasingly focused on school climate, as recently evidenced by its inclusion as an accountability indicator in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Yet, there remains considerable variability in both conceptualizing and measuring school climate. To better inform the research and practice related to school climate and its measurement, we leveraged item response theory (IRT), a commonly used psychometric approach for the design of achievement assessments, to create a parsimonious measure of school climate that operates across varying individual characteristics. Students (n = 69,513) in 111 secondary schools completed a school climate assessment focused on three domains of climate (i.e., safety, engagement, and environment), as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. Item and test characteristics were estimated using the mirt package in R using unidimensional IRT. Analyses revealed measurement difficulties that resulted in a greater ability to assess less favorable perspectives on school climate. Differential item functioning analyses indicated measurement differences based on student academic success. These findings support the development of a broad measure of school climate but also highlight the importance of work to ensure precision in measuring school climate, particularly when considering use as an accountability measure.     

Construct Equivalence of PISA Reading Comprehension Measured With Paper‐Based and Computer‐Based Assessments

For many years, reading comprehension in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) was measured via paper‐based assessment (PBA). In the 2015 cycle, computer‐based assessment (CBA) was introduced, raising the question of whether central equivalence criteria required for a valid interpretation of the results are fulfilled. As an extension of the PISA 2012 main study in Germany, a random subsample of two intact PISA reading clusters, either computerized or paper‐based, was assessed using a random group design with an additional within‐subject variation. The results are in line with the hypothesis of construct equivalence. That is, the latent cross‐mode correlation of PISA reading comprehension was not significantly different from the expected correlation between the two clusters. Significant mode effects on item difficulties were observed for a small number of items only. Interindividual differences found in mode effects were negatively correlated with reading comprehension, but were not predicted by basic computer skills or gender. Further differences between modes were found with respect to the number of missing values.     

EQUATIONS AND THE EQUAL SIGN IN ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS TEXTBOOKS

To promote a relational understanding of the equal sign (=), students may require exposure to a variety of equation types (i.e., 3 = 8 - 5; 2 + 3 = 1 + 4; 9 - 3 = 6). The purpose of this study was to evaluate 8 elementary curricula for degree of exposure to equation types. Across 6 elementary grade levels, curricula were coded for the number of standard and nonstandard equation types appearing within the student textbook. Except in 1 of the 8 curricula, students typically do not receive exposure to nonstandard equation types that promote a relational understanding of the equal sign. An analysis of the accompanying teacher manual for each textbook suggests that students receive minimal instruction on relational definitions of the equal sign, with the majority of instruction occurring in grades K-2 and minimal instruction provided in grades 3-5.     

Piloting a Mathematics‐Writing Intervention with Late Elementary Students At‐Risk for Learning Difficulties

High‐stakes mathematics assessments require students to write about mathematics, although research suggests students exhibit limited proficiency on such assessments. Students with LD may have difficulties with writing, mathematics, or both. Researchers employed an intervention for teaching students how to organize mathematics writing (MW). Researchers randomly assigned participants (n = 61) in grades 3–5 to receive instruction in MW or information writing. Students receiving MW outperformed control students on a researcher‐developed measure of MW (d = 1.05). Component assessment revealed MW students improved in writing organization (d = 1.49) but not in mathematics content (d = 0.11 ns). Results also indicated MW students outperformed control on percentage of correct MW sequences (d = 0.82). Future directions for MW intervention development are discussed.     

Using our Classroom Walls: A Project for Visualizing the Development of Conceptual Understanding

Practices such as making connections between topics, prioritizing content, and identifying broad themes are essential to learning mathematics. This paper describes a project designed to integrate these synthesizing activities into an abstract algebra class. Students used a classroom wall to record and organize their collective learning and developing knowledge, with an emphasis on visual connections. The evolution of the wall reflected the development of students’ thinking throughout the course, and helped to personalize the classroom space. Suggestions for implementing similar projects in different courses and spaces are also included.     

Redefining the performing arts archive

This paper investigates representations of performance and the role of the archive. Notions of record and archive are critically investigated, raising questions about applying traditional archival definitions to the performing arts. Defining the nature of performances is at the root of all difficulties regarding their representation. Performances are live events, so for many people the idea of recording them for posterity is inappropriate. The challenge of creating and curating representations of an ephemeral art form are explored and performance-specific concepts of record and archive are posited. An open model of archives, encouraging multiple representations and allowing for creative reuse and reinterpretation to keep the spirit of the performance alive, is envisaged as the future of the performing arts archive.     

地球意象与当代环境意识

观看我们居住的星球有多种方式,将之＂视＂为一个栩栩如生的动态系统与从遥远太空获取其静态景象是迥然不同的。文章分析了一些流行的从地球上空不同地点所拍摄的地球形象,并将它们与盖亚科学相关的研究与叙述进行比较,重点讨论科技—文化创造地球意象的各种途径。虽然在阿波罗宇宙空间计划实施之时及其完成之后,这些地球意象被用来提升并促进环境倡议行动,但它们在早期也被表现、并被贩卖为一种地球幻想,一个可以被轻而易举地穿越、索取与耗尽的星球。文章简要地回顾了应用于气象、军事与通信等领域的远程地球监控可视化技术的发展历程,探讨了从太空拍摄到的地球意象,如何使各种视角更加混乱、如何削弱了地方性知识和地方性经验。论文试图追溯这些可以比较的制作地球意象的系统,如何影响了我们对于地球资源、对我们作为地球居民的角色以及我们对气候变化反应等方面的理解。