Best Predictor Of Academic Achievement Research Articles

Effects of Formative Assessment Tools on Secondary School Students’ Achievement in Mathematics in Rwanda, A Case of Kayonza District

Background: Promoting Science and technology is one of main long term objectives and tasks of Rwanda. Promotion of Science and technology depends on mathematics worldwide. To know the level of students’ performance in Mathematics and how to improve it, the assessment of students in form of summative and formative is the best predictor of Academic achievement in Mathematics. This current study sets out to explore the effect of formative assessment tools on students’ academic achievement in Mathematics in Kayonza District. This research aimed at exploring the formative assessment tools that are currently used in teaching and learning mathematics, assessing the factors that influence secondary school learner’s low performance in mathematics and exploring the effects of formative assessment tools on secondary school students’ achievement in mathematics. Materials and Method: The study adopted a mixed research design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample size of 95 respondents were drawn from a target population of 1851, it was calculated using Slovin’s formula. Purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 95 respondents from 1851. Questionnaire and Interview as well as documentary tools were used to collect both primary data. Data was cleaned, coded, entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, Version 21.0). Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) while Qualitative data was analyzed in narrative way. SPSS was used because it is fast and flexible and provides more accurate analysis resulting in dependable conclusions. Results: Quantitative findings revealed that coursework, teachers’ observations, group/class work and test assignments were used by the teachers at in secondary schools at Kayonza District. However, the results showed that teacher respondents agreed that fear towards mathematics (strong mean of 4.29), high number of students per classroom (mean= 3.98) and low level of teachers’ training (Mean=4.99) as well as lack of science culture among students (Mean= 3.78) were the leading factors to low performance in mathematics in secondary schools in Kayonza District. The study findings further indicated use of group discussions to enhance students’ enactment and scoring, student’s participation in mathematics duties/tasks through observations and group work encourages peer learning affect positively the students; performance in Mathematics in Kayonza District. Using Pearson correlation coefficient, the results revealed that one-unit increment in using formative assessment tool led to 0.791 increase in learners’ academic performance in mathematics in 12 secondary schools in Kayonza District. Conclusion: In line with the findings and the conclusions emerging from the study, the following recommendations are made to the teachers, school staff and District as well as Ministry of Education (MINEDUC): Teachers should therefore plan carefully for mathematics quizzes, homework and end term mathematics tests to increase students’ motivation to learn mathematics. In addition, it is recommended to the school staff, the district and MINEDUC to evaluate teachers regularly because evaluation is an obvious vehicle for using incentives to direct the teachers on the path towards professional growth and improvement

Working Memory Capacity, Cognitive Regulation, and Their Relationship to Academic Achievement in University Students

The present study investigates the relationship between working memory capacity, cognitive regulation, and academic achievement for university students. Additionally, it examines whether working memory capacity and/or cognitive regulation can predict academic achievement. For the 139 university students who took part in the study, working memory capacity was measured via a digit span test, cognitive regulation was measured via the MAI (Metacognitive Awareness Inventory), and academic achievement was measured via GPA. The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between working memory capacity and cognitive regulation ability, that cognitive regulation had a marginally stronger correlation with GPA than working memory capacity did, and that the working memory ability and cognitive regulation model was a good predictor of academic achievement for the sample studied.

A Weight and Meta-Analysis on the Academic Achievement of High School Students

Understanding the determinants of academic achievement (AA) is crucial for virtually every stakeholder interested in personal development and individual and societal wellbeing. Extensive research in several areas, such as education, economics, or psychology, has addressed this topic, identifying a vast number of determinants that impact high school students’ AA. In this work, we perform a meta-analysis, including a weight analysis of 49 quantitative studies that investigate this topic, exploring the best predictors of high school students’ academic success. We also explore moderation effects. Our results show that academic self-efficacy and socioeconomic status are the best predictors of AA, and they are statistically significant. Other statistically significant predictors, albeit less common in the analyses, are mastery avoidance, motivation, sleep habits, and work avoidance. Implications for theory and practice and directions for future research are discussed.

Elements of Expanded Core Curriculum That Best Predicts Academic Achievement of Students With Visual Impairment

Every student (student with visual impairment or non-student with visual impairment) is expected to leave the walls of any educational institution with a strong grasp of knowledge, skills, and attitude to function successfully in life-after-school. In order to be successful, students with visual impairment must learn all the nine components of the expanded core curriculum (ECC). The expanded core curriculum empowers students with visual impairment to access their education and make their own choices throughout life. Without specialised instruction in ECC, students with vision loss may not be aware of the activities of their peers or acquire other critical information about their surroundings (Ferrell, 2000). As students with visual impairment learn the expanded core curriculum they build a strong foundation for success in life today and tomorrow. The ECC must therefore, be strategically and sequentially taught and integrated into all aspects of the education of the student with visual impairment. Ninety three students with visual impairment at University of Cape Coast and University of Education, Winneba were used for the study. Questionnaire and Multiple regression were used to collect and analyse data respectively. Independent living skills emerged as the best predictor of academic achievement of students with visual impairment.

Assessing prior knowledge types as predictors of academic achievement in the introductory phase of biology and physics study programmes using logistic regression

BackgroundIncreasingly, high dropout rates in science courses at colleges and universities have led to discussions of causes and potential support measures of students. Students’ prior knowledge is repeatedly mentioned as the best predictor of academic achievement. Theory describes four hierarchically ordered types of prior knowledge, from declarative knowledge of facts to procedural application of knowledge. This study explores the relevance of these four prior knowledge types to academic achievement in the introductory phase of the two science subjects, biology and physics.ResultsWe assessed the knowledge types at the beginning and student achievement (measured by course completion) at the end of the first study year. We applied logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between the knowledge types and academic achievement. First, we controlled for a well-established predictor of academic achievement (high school grade point average). Second, we added the knowledge types as predictors. For biology, we found that only knowledge about principles and concepts was a significant predictor in the first year. For physics, knowledge about concepts and principles as well as the ability to apply knowledge to problems was related to academic achievement.ConclusionOur results concerning the knowledge types, which are of special relevance in biology and physics studies, could lead to effective measures, e.g. for identifying at-risk students and course guidance. Furthermore, the results provide a profound starting point for controlled intervention studies that systematically foster the identified relevant knowledge types in each subject and aim at a theory- and empirical-based optimization of pre- and introductory courses.

Preparatory School Learners’ Level of Critical Thinking Proficiency and Its Correlation with Their Academic Achievement in Ethiopia: The Missing Ingredient

The present study investigated the level of preparatory school learners' critical thinking proficiency and its relation with their academic achievement. To the researchers' best knowledge, there is hardly any documented study exploring the relationship between these constructs among preparatory learners. To attain the purpose of the study, 108 grade 12 preparatory school learners from two sections (53 social science and 55 natural science majors: 56 male and 52 female students) were selected using a simple random sampling technique from Woldia Preparatory School. Data was collected through a critical thinking proficiency test adapted from “Cornell Class-Reasoning Test, Form X” (CCTT) and learners’ previous semester cumulative average. The data was analyzed statistically, employing Descriptive Statistics, Independent-Samples T Test, Pearson product-moment correlation, and linear regression. The results from the descriptive analysis showed that the critical thinking proficiency of preparatory school learners was weak, namely, most students lack critical thinking proficiency at this level. Moreover, the level of critical thinking didn’t vary significantly across majors and gender according to the independent-samples t test analysis. However, results from Pearson product-moment correlation indicated a fairly strong and positive correlation between critical thinking proficiency and academic achievement. The linear regression results also revealed that critical thinking proficiency act as the best predictor of academic achievement. The discussion and implications of the research are further presented with reference to the finding.

Low Correlations between Intelligence and Big Five Personality Traits: Need to Broaden the Domain of Personality.

The correlations between the measures of cognitive abilities and personality traits are known to be low. Our data based on the popular Big Five model of intelligence show that the highest correlations (up to r = 0.30) tend to occur with the Openness to Experience. Some recent developments in the studies of intelligence (e.g., emotional intelligence, complex problem solving and economic games) indicate that this link may become stronger in future. Furthermore, our studies of the processes in the “no-man’s-land” between intelligence and personality suggest that the non-cognitive constructs are correlated with both. These include the measures of social conservatism and self-beliefs. Importantly, the Big Five measures do not tap into either the dark traits associated with social conservatism or self-beliefs that are known to be good predictors of academic achievement. This paper argues that the personality domain should be broadened to include new constructs that have not been captured by the lexical approach employed in the development of the Big Five model. Furthermore, since the measures of confidence have the highest correlation with cognitive performance, we suggest that the trait of confidence may be a driver that leads to the separation of fluid and crystallized intelligence during development.

Development and validation of the School Social Judgment Scale for children: Their judgment of the self to foster achievement at school

Positive judgments on the Self are good predictors of academic achievement. It could be useful to benefit from an instrument able to assess how pupils elaborate self-judgments. So far, such a tool does not exist. The purpose of the present study was to develop a self-report measure of social judgment for children at school (the School Social Judgment Scale—SSJS). 660 pupils completed a questionnaire addressing 12 socio-academic behaviors. An exploratory factor analysis highlighted a four-factor structure of social judgment (Assertiveness, Competence, Effort and Agreeability). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) provided further support for this model, both in terms of factorial and construct validity. Reliability ranged from questionable to good depending on SSJS subscales. Multigroup CFA revealed invariance of the SSJS across gender and showed that boys had higher scores than girls for the assertiveness scale. Overall, the SSJS represents an efficient tool to better understand how social judgment for children works. As such, it could assist professionals of education to develop suitable educational support to assist poorly performing children at school.

Conscientiousness as a key to success for academic achievement among French university students enrolled in management studies

This study aims to identify the role of the five-factor model in the prediction of academic motivation, procrastination, and academic achievement among French university students enrolled in management studies. Overall, 404 first- and second-year management students answered a questionnaire composed of the following scales: Big Five-fr, academic motivation, and procrastination. The study identified that management students with higher annual results are the most conscientious and intrinsically motivated, and they procrastinate less and are less amotivated. Thus, among management students, the trait of conscientiousness is the best predictor of academic achievement. On the whole, the contribution of this study is twofold: first, it brings to light the central role of conscientiousness, in particular as a moderator between amotivation and academic results; and second, it proposes the combined analysis of personality, motivation, and procrastination as explanatory variables for academic results. Finally, this study delivers useful insights on how to move towards greater engagement of first- and second-year students regarding French education policies. This is one of the first studies to provide evidence of the relationship between personality and academic success within the French context.

Working memory and intelligence quotient: Which best predicts on school achievement?

Working memory (WM) refers to ability to store and manipulate information for a period of time. There is evidence of a close relationship between WM and learning. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between WM, intelligence quotient (IQ) on school achievement. Individual neuropsychological assessment was conducted following a specific protocol. The study included 227 children aged 7 to 12 years (M = 9.87, SD = 1.34), of which 119 were females, from private and public schools in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Academic achievement was evaluated using the Academic Performance Test (TDE), with subtests in reading, writing and arithmetic. The components of WM were evaluated using backward and forward Digit Span tasks and the backward and forward Corsi block-tapping task. The estimated IQ was assessed using tasks vocabularies and block design of the Wechsler scales. The statistical tests used were linear regression analysis (stepwise) and Pearson correlation. The results showed that the best predictors of academic performance were Digit Span Forward, Corsi Block Backward and Digit Span Backward task. The hypothesis of non-multicollinearity was tested, and it was verified that the constructs were independent (VIF < 10 and Tolerance > 0.20). The variance in academic performance explained by WM model was ΔR = 0.36. High and significant correlations were observed between the components of WM and the TDE. The WM score (Digit Span Backward + Corsi Block Backward) and the TDE were correlated (r = 0.54**). These results indicate that WM is a good predictor of academic achievement than IQ and are consistent with other findings showing WM as a predictor of learning or the potential for learning. This result has important implications for education, particularly with respect to intervention.

What Does "Being an Expert" Mean to the Brain? Functional Specificity and Connectivity in Expertise.

To what extent is varying cognitive expertise reflected in the brain's functional specificity and connectivity? We addressed this question by examining expertise in mathematics based on the fact that mathematical skills are one of the most critical cognitive abilities known to be a good predictor of academic achievement. We investigated processing of hierarchical structures, which is a fundamental process for building complex cognitive architecture. Experts and nonexperts in mathematics participated in processing hierarchical structures using algebraic expressions. Results showed that a modulating effect depending on expertise was observed specifically in nonexperts in the left inferior frontal gyrus around pars triangularis and frontal sulcus, the left intraparietal sulcus, and the right inferior parietal lobule. This expertise-dependent pattern of activation led to a crucial dissociation within the left prefrontal cortex. More interestingly, task-related functional networks were also modulated differently in the frontoparietal network for relatively good performance and in the frontostriatal network for poor performance. The present study indicates that a high level of expertise is evident in a small number of specific brain regions, whereas a low level of expertise is reflected by broadly distributed brain areas, along with divergent functional connectivity between experts and nonexperts.

Pre-admission tests of learning potential as predictors of academic success of first-year medical students

Whilst performance in the school-leaving examination may be a good predictor of academic achievement at medical schools, it is not necessarily a perfect one. The Health Sciences Placement Tests (HSPTs), comprising four components, were adopted by several South African universities as a tool to understand student preparedness. Of 127 first-year students at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2010, those from private schools performed significantly better academically than their public school counterparts on overall HSPT performance and in the Academic Language test, and marginally better in the Mathematics Achievement and Mathematics Comprehension tests. Students from private schools performed better at first-year level in the subjects of Psychology and Fundamentals of Medical and Clinical Sciences. The Academic Language and Mathematics Comprehension tests showed significant correlations with performance in first-year subjects, both at mid-year and year-end assessments. The study points to the importance of the HSPTs as an additional tool in predicting and understanding academic success at first-year university level.

Learning support and academic achievement among Malaysian adolescents: the mediating role of student engagement

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between learning support, student engagement and academic achievement among adolescents. We also examined the extent to which affective, behavioural and cognitive engagement play a mediating role in students’ perceived learning support from parents, teachers and peers, and contribute to their academic achievement. Malaysian adolescents (aged 12–17 years, N = 2359) completed a self-administered questionnaire based on an adapted version of the Student Engagement And Learning Support Scale. Item and factor analyses were performed to ensure appropriate psychometric properties of the scales. Pearson correlation analysis identified the relationship between variables and structural equation modelling was conducted to identify the role of student engagement as a mediator between learning support and academic achievement. The study provides empirical support for the hypothesis that perceptions of learning support influence adolescents’ affective, behavioural and cognitive engagement in school in different ways, which in turn influences their academic achievement. Cognitive engagement seemed to be the best predictor of academic achievement and the strongest mediator for all three types of learning support. Behavioural engagement was negatively associated with academic achievement, and affective engagement did not have a direct relationship with academic achievement, although it contributed indirectly through cognitive and behavioural engagement. The results of this study provide a basis for policy makers to initiate prevention and intervention programs for increasing the quality of parent–child, teacher–student and peer–peer relationships which ultimately could lead to improved academic competence and outcomes.

The role of motivation and self-esteem in the academic achievement of Turkish gifted students*

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-esteem and motivational components and to determine which were the best predictors of academic achievement among Turkish gifted students. Participants in this study were 184 students (76 girls and 108 boys). Sixty-one students were from the fourth grade, 43 from the fifth grade, 34 from the sixth, 32 from the seventh and 14 from the eighth grade. Eighty-four of the students attended İstanbul Art and Science Centre, which is an after-school program for gifted students, and 100 of them attended a public special education school for gifted students. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory was used to assess self-esteem and the Scale of Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Motivational Orientation in the Classroom was used to assess motivational components. Findings showed significant correlations between self-esteem, motivation and achievement. Using a regression analysis, in fourth graders general self-esteem, in fifth graders academic self-esteem, in sixth and seventh graders intrinsic motivations and in eighth graders extrinsic motivation were found to predict academic achievement.

Locus of Control or Self-Esteem; Which One is the Best Predictor of Academic Achievement in Iranian College Students.

BackgroundSelf-esteem and behavioral consequences, which are due to external or internal locus of control, are effective on academic achievement of students.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the prediction of locus of control and self-esteem in academic achievement among the students.Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 college students in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Data collection tools were in three sections: demographic, Rotter internal-external locus of control scale and Coopersmith self-esteem inventory. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 21.ResultsResults showed that 29.8% and 76.2% of the participants had internal locus of control, and high self-esteem, respectively. There was a significant correlation between self-esteem, locus of control and academic achievement of the students. Self-esteem accounted for 39.5% of the variation in academic achievement.ConclusionsIt seems that interventions to increase self-esteem among student can help improve academic achievement among them.

INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION FOR ENGLISH LEARNING SCALE (IEM-ELS): A PSYCHOLINGUISTICS STUDY OF RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY

Educational contexts without considering students' levels of their motivation cannot be thought of. Motivation is one of the best predictors of academic achievement, in some studies, it is better predictor than general intelligence of students. Two types of motivation – the extrinsic and the intrinsic one should be distinguished carefully. Intrinsic motivation is related to emotional aspect of learning. If students learn because it gives them pleasure and if they enjoy it, it can be said that these group of students have high levels of intrinsic motivation. In contrast, students who learn especially to gain some reward, acknowledgement or recognition are considered to be extrinsically motivated. Lots of scales which measure intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are general assessment tools i.e. they are not domain-specific tools. Because of that, the main aim of our study is to examine reliability and validity of Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for English learning scale. This scale was made in order to measure levels of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for learning English language. Hence, we anticipate its usefulness in English language educational context. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated and factor analysis was conducted. These statistical and psychometric techniques yielded the following results: the reliability of both subscales was good and the IEM-ELS had two-dimensional latent structure.

SUBJECTIVE ASSESSMENTS OF MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES AMONG BOSNIAN AND TURKISH STUDENTS

General intelligence is a good predictor of academic achievement. However, according to Howard Gardner, there are several types of intelligence. They have to be considered in the educational context because education requires various skills and abilities to be employed so that students could be successful. The main aim of our study was to examine subjective assessments of multiple intelligences among adolescents as well as to investigate possible gender differences. The questionnaire called ''Subjective assessment of multiple intelligences'' (SAMI) was applied, which serves us to collect data from the targeted sample of 162 participants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Firstly, the results showed non-significant gender differences. Secondly, only verbal/linguistic ability significantly correlated with the age of participants. Lastly, almost all correlational coefficients calculated between different types of intelligence were statistically significant. For example, subjective assessment of logical/ mathematical intelligence correlated with intrapersonal abilities/skills, verbal/linguistic intelligence correlated with visual/spatial intelligence, and musical abilities correlated with visual/spatial intelligence as well. Key words: multiple intelligences, subjective assessment, gender differences, Bosnian students.

Imperfect physician assistant and physical therapist admissions processes in the United States.

We compared and contrasted physician assistant and physical therapy profession admissions processes based on the similar number of accredited programs in the United States and the co-existence of many programs in the same school of health professions, because both professions conduct similar centralized application procedures administered by the same organization. Many studies are critical of the fallibility and inadequate scientific rigor of the high-stakes nature of health professions admissions decisions, yet typical admission processes remain very similar. Cognitive variables, most notably undergraduate grade point averages, have been shown to be the best predictors of academic achievement in the health professions. The variability of non-cognitive attributes assessed and the methods used to measure them have come under increasing scrutiny in the literature. The variance in health professions students’ performance in the classroom and on certifying examinations remains unexplained, and cognitive considerations vary considerably between and among programs that describe them. One uncertainty resulting from this review is whether or not desired candidate attributes highly sought after by individual programs are more student-centered or graduate-centered. Based on the findings from the literature, we suggest that student success in the classroom versus the clinic is based on a different set of variables. Given the range of positions and general lack of reliability and validity in studies of non-cognitive admissions attributes, we think that health professions admissions processes remain imperfect works in progress.

HOW SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) PROJECT-BASED LEARNING (PBL) AFFECTS HIGH, MIDDLE, AND LOW ACHIEVERS DIFFERENTLY: THE IMPACT OF STUDENT FACTORS ON ACHIEVEMENT

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether participating in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) project-based learning (PBL) activities effected students who had varied performance levels and to what extent students’ individual factors influenced their mathematics achievement. STEM PBL has been a critical challenge to be embedded in schools, thus the effect of STEM PBL should to be examined. Teachers in 3 high schools attended sustained professional developments provided by 1 STEM center based in a Southwestern university and were required to implement STEM PBLs once in every 6 weeks for 3 years (2008 through 2010). The participants were 836 high school students in these 3 schools who took the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test and had scores at least in the initial year. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the data using student’s mathematics TAKS scores and demographic information for the longitudinal study. STEM PBL instruction influenced student achievement in mathematics by both student demographic backgrounds and performance levels. Low performing students showed statistically significantly higher growth rates on mathematics scores than high and middle performing students over the 3 years. In addition, student’s ethnicity and economic status were good predictors of academic achievement. Results of the present study implied that STEM PBLs in schools benefitted low performing students to a greater extent and decreased the achievement gap.

Reading Performance and Academic Achievement in Early Childhood Bilingual and Monolinguals

Relationship between reading performance and academic achievement is theoretically predictable. However, this relationship could be higher among early childhood bilingual (ECBL) students than monolingual peers. For evaluating this claim, two groups of randomly selected female second graders (150 Farsi speaking and 150 Farsi and Turkish speaking) were tested and compared on these characteristics. The measures used were Kormi-Nouri and associates’ tests of reading performance. Moreover, academic achievement was defined to be the average of scores obtained by students at their final school exams in Math, Science and Farsi. Analysis of regression was then performed to determine which construct served as the best predictor of academic achievement in both groups. Based on the results, ECBL girls were superior to their monolingual (ML) counterparts in all three areas. Findings also show that reading performance was a strong predictor of school achievement for both groups.