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Test Environment for Optimal Performance in high school students: Measure development and the relationship with standardized test scores.

Rair, Randal J
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent156197137829198

Abstract Details

2019, PHD, Kent State University, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration.
The rise of mobile technology and increased school accountability has enmeshed the last two generations of students in unprecedented educational experiences. This has fostered learners who are varied in their communication and academic capabilities. Simultaneously, the number of standardized tests, both mandated and voluntary, has been steadily increasing. Few studies are available that examine the preferred environmental conditions for students during these tests. The current study consists of two parts: (1) the Pilot Study and (2) the Main Study. The Pilot Study examined the psychometric properties of a measure called the Test Environment for Optimal Performance (TEOP), which was created to explore the testing preferences of the current generation of college students. Following this quantitative section, college students were qualitatively interviewed on topics related to test environment preferences to explore the factor structure meaning. Findings from both the quantitative and qualitative portions suggest that students have a partiality for physical (i.e., “Action”) and auditory (i.e., “Sound) activities when testing. The Main Study extended the Pilot Study by investigating current high school students’ preferred standardized testing conditions and if these preferred conditions have a predictive relationship with high-stakes standardized test scores (i.e., the ACT). The Main Study analyzed data using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis to examine the psychometric properties of the TEOP in the new population, and to provide further evidence to support the “Action” and “Sound” test environment factor structure, then Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regressions were conducted to examine the hypothesized relationships between the TEOP factors “Action” and “Sound” and high-stakes aptitude outcomes (i.e., ACT scores). The results warranted an additional post hoc Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regression using Grade Point Average as the outcome. The results from the Main Study advanced the outcomes from the Pilot Study by providing additional validation support for the TEOP scores in a population of high school students. The study, therefore, provided validity and reliability evidence of the TEOP for both college and high school students. The results also showed that while the TEOP scores did not have a significant predictive relationship with ACT scores, there was a significant relationship between the TEOP scores and GPA. These findings may be useful to stakeholders looking to address students’ test preparation and academic performance. The TEOP scores can be used to inform students, parents, and school administrators of the potential congruence or incongruence between students’ practices and preferences while studying and the actual test environments. Results from this correlational study should be interpreted with caution; however, future research may consider how to use the TEOP as a tool for in-class assessment preparation.
Aryn Karpinski (Advisor)
294 p.
Education; Education Philosophy; Educational Evaluation; Educational Leadership; Educational Psychology; Educational Tests and Measurements
Test Environment, Generation Z, Test Preferences, stimulation, millennial, assessment, standardized testing, measurement,

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rair, R. J. (2019). Test Environment for Optimal Performance in high school students: Measure development and the relationship with standardized test scores. [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent156197137829198

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rair, Randal. Test Environment for Optimal Performance in high school students: Measure development and the relationship with standardized test scores. 2019. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent156197137829198.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rair, Randal. "Test Environment for Optimal Performance in high school students: Measure development and the relationship with standardized test scores." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent156197137829198

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.