| Abstract: | A hierarchy of analytic concepts and processes was derived from the related substantive and syntactical structures of geographic method and submitted to study as a test of a central premise underlying the curriculum reform movement in social studies. Performance data were obtained from 84 instructed second graders on test items criterion referenced to specific capabilities of the hierarchy. Application of Murray’s (5) misclassification model yielded the following results: (a) Values of correct classification probabilities for a modified five-level hierarchy were high, indicating over 90% of the Ss were correctly classified on all levels of the modified scale; and (b) Overall test of fit was well within nonsignificant boundaries, indicating the data could be assumed to fit the hypothesized latent pure scale model. Implications for curriculum were derived. |
