Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) is often used to estimate the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on academic achievement at different levels of an educational system. However, if a prior academic achievement measure is missing in a HLM model, biased estimates may occur on the effects of student SES and school SES. Phantom effects describe…

Multilevel Rasch models are increasingly used to estimate the relationships between test scores and student and school factors. Response data were generated to follow one-, two-, and three-parameter logistic (1PL, 2PL, 3PL) models, but the Rasch model was used to estimate the latent regression parameters. When the response functions followed 2PL…

Dynamic Measurement Modeling (DMM) is a recently-developed measurement framework for gauging developing constructs (e.g., learning capacity) that conventional single-timepoint tests cannot assess. The current project developed a person-specific DMM Trajectory Deviance Index (TDI) that captures the aberrance of an individual's growth from the…

Purpose: In light of growing attention to promoting democratic learning opportunities in the EU and the US, this study provides insight into student opportunities to engage in the organisation of mock elections in Dutch high schools, and constraints that teachers identify in implementing mock elections. Approach: A survey study was conducted. One…

Purpose: The study explored how PSTs perceived a learning design, using a decision simulator, a self-reflection guide and a peer mentoring guide as tools to mediate reflections on approaches to the teacher's role. The individual characteristics of PSTs were also considered, including role clarity, self-efficacy and affective commitment, as…

Assessing students on-the-fly is an important but challenging task for teachers. In initial teacher education, a call has been made to better prepare pre-service teachers for this complex task. Advances in technology allow this training to be done through authentic learning environments, such as video-based simulations. To understand the learning…

The theory-practice gap in nursing education confuses students and decreases the quality of their training. This study aims to examine the gap between theoretical teaching and clinical training for students at AAUP. A cross-sectional survey of 192 nursing students at AAUP. Questions measuring aspects of the theory-practice gap were developed based…

Using simulation-based inference (SBI), such as randomization tests, as the primary vehicle for introducing students to the logic and scope of statistical inference has been advocated with the potential of improving student understanding of statistical inference and the statistical investigative process. Moving beyond the individual class…

Researchers frequently evaluate rater judgments in performance assessments for evidence of differential rater functioning (DRF), which occurs when rater severity is systematically related to construct-irrelevant student characteristics after controlling for student achievement levels. However, researchers have observed that methods for detecting…

This study introduces the signal weighted teacher value-added model (SW VAM), a value-added model that weights student-level observations based on each student's capacity to signal their assigned teacher's quality. Specifically, the model leverages the repeated appearance of a given student to estimate student reliability and sensitivity…

We study the relative performance of two policy-relevant value-added models--a one-step fixed effect model and a two-step aggregated residuals model--using a simulated data set well grounded in the value-added literature. A key feature of our data generating process is that student achievement depends on a continuous measure of economic…

Understanding fractions is critical to mathematical development, yet many children struggle with fractions even after years of instruction. Fraction arithmetic is particularly challenging. The present study employed a computational model of fraction arithmetic learning, FARRA (Fraction Arithmetic Reflects Rules and Associations; Braithwaite, Pyke,…

Simulation training has been found to be an effective method to increase social work student knowledge, empathy, or skills. This study examined the impact of an interprofessional poverty simulation on public school teacher participants, who would learn about the impact of poverty, and on social work students, who were the volunteers or…

Individual differences (IDs) play an important role in the second language learning process and explain the varied experiences of the L2 learner. The two major IDs, language aptitude and motivation, can be primary factors in one's ultimate proficiency. While language aptitude is largely fixed, motivation is malleable and can aid in overcoming…

I explored the perceived effectiveness of Australian undergraduate degree programs in preparing students for contemporary work. I examined student perceptions of program development of work-related knowledge and skills in Australia between 2013 and 2016 using national (N = 215,161) and institutional (N = 4,934) data. Variations in perceptions were…