Standardized Mathematics Test Research Articles

Against the odds: predictors of academic success and excellence in majority-minority schools

ABSTRACT Although schools with a high concentration of ethnic minorities often underperform, not much is known about the factors that predict high and even excellent achievement of pupils within these schools. Therefore, we examined which concrete diversity practices and key psychological processes increase or decrease the likelihood/odds for high and excellent performance on a standardized mathematics test, thereby utilizing multivariable logistic regressions among 855 10–12-year-olds in 18 majority-minority schools in Flanders, Belgium. While the odds for high and excellent mathematics scores were unaffected by language spoken at home or religiosity, they were negatively related to deficit-based assimilationist school practices, inconsistently related to meritocratic neutrality-based practices, and positively related to a strengths-based anti-racist school curriculum. Furthermore, while higher school belonging and a growth mindset increased the odds of high and excellent achievement, students’ experiences of peer or teacher discrimination decreased these odds dramatically. Implications for school effectiveness policies are discussed.

Boredom due to being over- or under-challenged in mathematics: A latent profile analysis.

Recent research on boredom suggests that it can emerge insituations characterized by over- and under-challenge. In learning contexts, this implies that high boredom may be experienced both by low- and high-achieving students. This research aimed to explore the existence and prevalence of boredom due to being over- and under-challenged in mathematics, for which empirical evidence is lacking. We employed a sample of 1.407 students (fifth to ninth graders) from all three secondary school tracks (lower, middle and upper) in Bavaria (Germany). Boredom was assessed via self-report and achievement via a standardized mathematics test. We used latent profile analysis to identify groups characterized by different levels of boredom and achievement, and we additionally examined gender and school track as group membership predictors. Results revealed four distinct groups, of which two showed considerably high boredom. One was coupled with low achievement on the test (i.e. 'over-challenged group', 13% of the total sample), and one was coupled with high achievement (i.e. 'under-challenged group', 21%). Furthermore, we found a low boredom and high achievement (i.e. 'well-off group', 27%) and a relatively low boredom low achievement group (i.e. 'indifferent group', 39%). Girls were overrepresented in the over-challenged group, and students from the upper school track were underrepresented in the under-challenged group. Our research emphasizes the need to openly discuss and further investigate boredom due to being over- and under-challenged.

Montessori primary schools’ effectiveness: a quasi-experimental study on schooling outcomes

ABSTRACT Montessori is a highly individualized pedagogy that prioritizes following each child’s individual interests over standardized test scores. This quasi-experimental study compares groups of Montessori students (treatment groups, N = 535–710) with control groups of non-Montessori students, matched through the simple matching method, which controls for the effect of background variables on schooling outcomes. The tested hypothesis is that the treatment groups achieve mean scores that are not significantly lower and have a significantly higher standard deviation on standardized tests of mathematics and language. The study encompassed students in Grade 2, 5, 8, and 10 across two separate cohorts. Results indicate that Montessori students attain either comparable or significantly higher scores than non-Montessori students, depending on grade and cohort, with greater score variability observed, particularly at Grade 8 and in mathematics. This finding implies the necessity for future investigations into the effect of Montessori teachers’ instructional practices.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Academic Achievement among Elementary School Children in Japan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement among elementary school children in Japan
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: This study examined the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement among elementary school children in Japan. The participants were 1,024 fifth-grade students from 29 public schools in Tokyo. Physical activity was assessed by a questionnaire and a pedometer, and academic achievement was measured by standardized tests of Japanese language, mathematics, and science. The results showed that physical activity was positively associated with academic achievement, after controlling for gender, socioeconomic status, and school-level factors.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cognitive enhancement theory, self-determination theory & bioecological systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement among elementary school children. Schools should prioritize high-quality physical education programs that include both structured and unstructured physical activities. Educational policymakers should consider including physical activity guidelines within the broader educational policy framework.

Effect of Extracurricular After-School Physical Activities on Academic Performance of Schoolchildren

The beneficial effects of increasing outdoor physical activity time on children's myopia onset and physical well-being are widely acknowledged. However, in countries with competitive educational systems, such as China, parents and school administrators may be relatively reluctant to increase the extracurricular physical activity time for children due to concerns that this action will compromise children's academic performance. To investigate whether additional extracurricular physical activity time after school compromises the academic performance of schoolchildren. This cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted from October 2020 to June 2021 in Yudu, Jiangxi, China. Eligible children in grades 3 and 4 from 24 elementary schools were randomized to the intervention or control group. Primary analysis was conducted in the full sample using the intention-to-treat principle. The intervention group received 2 hours of after-school physical activity time outdoors on school days. The control group was free to arrange their after-school activity. The primary outcome was the between-group mean difference in mathematics test scores at the end of 1 academic year, with a noninferiority margin of -3.3 points. Standardized mathematics tests, physical fitness assessments (in reference to the 2018 National Physical Fitness Survey Monitoring Programme in China), and cycloplegic autorefraction were performed at baseline and the end of 1 academic year. Myopia was defined as a cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction of -0.5 diopters or less in either eye. A total of 2032 children (mean [SD] age, 9.22 [0.62] years; 1040 girls [51.2%]) from 24 schools were randomized to the intervention group (12 schools; 1012 children) or control group (12 schools; 1020 children). The mean (SD) mathematics score at the end of 1 academic year was 78.01 (17.56) points in the intervention group and 77.70 (17.29) points in the control group. The adjusted between-group mean difference was 0.65 points (95% CI, -2.85 to 4.15). The adjusted between-group mean difference in physical fitness score was 4.95 points (95% CI, 3.56-6.34; P < .001) and -1.90% (95% CI, -18.72% to 14.91%; P > .99) in myopia incidence. Results of this trial indicate that, compared with the control practice of free play after school, adding 2 hours of extracurricular physical activity outdoors after school was noninferior in academic performance and had superior efficacy in improving physical fitness. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04587765.

COVID-19-related school closures and mathematical performance—findings from a study with grade 3 students in Germany

IntroductionDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, measures were taken that had a considerable impact on the situation in schools. In Germany, these measures lasted more than a year and ranged from school closures and distance learning to alternating teaching phases with small groups. In the present study, we examined whether third-grade students’ mathematics performance changed in different content domains before and after the COVID-19-related changes in school.MethodsIn a repeated cross-sectional design, we compared two cohorts of third graders (2019: N = 1,905; 2021: N = 3,203) based on standardized mathematics tests, constructed according to the German National Educational Standards, which allowed for a differential competence diagnostic for five content domains. Generalized linear mixed models were used to model item and person properties and assess their effects on performance.ResultsThere was a significant drop in performance overall. While the drop in the content domain Numbers &amp;amp; Operations was smaller than the overall drop in performance, the content domains Space &amp;amp; Shape and Data, Frequency, Probability were more affected.DiscussionThe findings of this study may be explained by the results of numerous surveys of students, teachers, and parents, which indicated that a lot of time was spent on exercises and reproduction tasks during distance learning.

Self-regulation and academic achievement among Singaporean young children: A cross-cultural comparison in a multicultural Asian society

Cultural contexts influence the development of self-regulation. However, cross-cultural variations and consistencies in different aspects of self-regulation and their academic outcomes within the Asian context are less clear. This study investigated (1) the extent to which the development of hot and cool Executive Function (EF) might differ among children from different cultural backgrounds in a multicultural Asian society, and (2) whether and how the predictive power of hot and cool EF on academic skills might vary across subcultures within the nation. Longitudinal data were collected over two waves from a national probability sample of 2,527 young children in Singapore, consisting of ethnic Chinese, Malays, and Indians. Working memory (WM), Delay of Gratification (DoG), and parent-reported self-control were measured during their preschool years (3–6 years of age) in Wave 1. Reading and mathematical skills were assessed approximately 2 years later in Wave 2. Results demonstrated that ethnic Chinese children typically delayed gratification at age 4, whereas Malay and Indian children only started to delay gratification at age 6. Chinese children also outperformed their Malay and Indian counterparts in WM tasks and standardized achievement tests in reading and mathematics. Parent-reported child self-control did not differ by ethnicity. Across subcultures in Singapore, WM was a robust predictor of reading and mathematical skills and explained the longitudinal relations of DoG to academic skills. Our findings suggest that the developmental gaps in EF during early childhood can contribute to later gaps in academic achievement among ethnic groups. Nurturing self-regulation during the preschool years is essential for promoting children’s school readiness.

You’re Not the Boss of me, Algorithm: Increased User Control and Positive Implicit Attitudes Are Related to Greater Adherence to an Algorithmic Aid

Abstract This study examined whether participants’ adherence to an algorithmic aid was related to the degree of control they were provided at decision point and their attitudes toward new technologies and algorithms. It also tested the influence of control on participants’ subjective reports of task demands whilst using the aid. A total of 159 participants completed an online experiment centred on a simulated forecasting task, which required participants to predict the performance of school students on a standardized mathematics test. For each student, participants also received an algorithm-generated forecast of their score. Participants were randomly assigned to either the ‘full control’ (adjust forecast as much as they wish), ‘moderate control’ (adjust forecast by 30%) or ‘restricted control’ (adjust forecast by 2%) group. Participants then completed an assessment of subjective task load, a measure of their explicit attitudes toward new technologies, demographic and experience items (age, gender and computer literacy) and a novel version of the Go/No-Go Association Task, which tested their implicit attitudes toward algorithms. The results revealed that participants who were provided with more control over the final forecast tended to deviate from it more greatly and reported lower levels of frustration. Furthermore, participants showing more positive implicit attitudes toward algorithms were found to deviate less from the algorithm’s forecasts, irrespective of the degree of control they were given. The findings allude to the importance of users’ control and preexisting attitudes in their acceptance of, and frustration in using a novel algorithmic aid, which may ultimately contribute to their intention to use them in the workplace. These findings can guide system developers and support workplaces implementing expert system technology.

Gender gaps in Mathematics and Language: The bias of competitive achievement tests.

This research paper examines the extent to which high-stakes competitive tests affect gender gaps in standardized tests of Mathematics and Language. To this end, we estimate models that predict students' results in two national standardized tests: a test that does not affect students' educational trajectory, and a second test that determines access to the most selective universities in Chile. We used data from different gender twins who took these tests. This strategy allows us to control, through household fixed effects, the observed and unobserved household characteristics. Our results show that competitive tests negatively affect women. In Mathematics, according to both tests, there is a gender gap in favor of men, which increases in the university entrance exam, especially for high-performance students. As the literature review shows, women are negatively stereotyped in Mathematics, so this stereotype threat could penalize high-achieving women, that is, those that go against the stereotype. In Language tests, women outperform men in the standardized test taken in high school, but the situation is reversed in the university entrance exam. From our analysis of Chilean national data, we find no evidence that the gender effect observed in the competitive test depends on the students' achievement level. Following the literature, this gender gap may be linked to women's risk aversion, lower self-confidence, lower preference for competition, as well as the effect of answering a test under time pressure.

Reciprocal effects of mathematics performance, school engagement and burnout during adolescence.

Transitioning into adolescence while simultaneously facing greater academic demands as the level of education increases often entails both academic challenges and general declines in students' school-related well-being. Still, however, relatively little is known about the causal relationship between students' academic well-being (i.e., school engagement and burnout) and their performance during the adolescent years. This study examined longitudinal relations between adolescents' mathematics performance, school engagement and burnout (exhaustion, cynicism and inadequacy) across lower secondary education. Data came from a longitudinal research project, following Finnish lower secondary school (grades 7-9) students (N=1131) over 4 years (2016-2019). Students completed standardized mathematics tests and self-report measures of school engagement and burnout at four time points, twice within both 7th and 9th grade. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) was used to examine pathways between engagement, burnout and mathematics performance over time. Higher mathematics performance increased students' engagement and lowered their exhaustion and cynicism over time, whereas both engagement and exhaustion predicted higher performance. Negative relations were also found from inadequacy and cynicism on students' mathematics performance. Furthermore, school burnout predicted engagement both positively (from exhaustion) and negatively (from cynicism and inadequacy) within and between the school years, whereas engagement only predicted cynicism and inadequacy negatively within 7th grade. Findings suggest that the overall relation between students' mathematics performance, engagement and burnout is rather reciprocal, but also, that the relations become more prominent over time, demonstrating the importance of supporting both learning and well-being in school.

The number line estimation task is a valid tool for assessing mathematical achievement: A population-level study with 6484 Luxembourgish ninth-graders

The number line estimation task is an often-used measure of numerical magnitude understanding. The task also correlates substantially with broader measures of mathematical achievement. This raises the question of whether the task would be a useful component of mathematical achievement tests and instruments to diagnose dyscalculia or mathematical giftedness and whether a stand-alone version of the task can serve as a short screener for mathematical achievement. Previous studies on the relation between number line estimation accuracy and broader mathematical achievement were limited in that they used relatively small nonrepresentative samples and usually did not account for potentially confounding variables. To close this research gap, we report findings from a population-level study with nearly all Luxembourgish ninth-graders (N = 6484). We used multilevel regressions to test how a standardized mathematical achievement test relates to the accuracy in number line estimation on bounded number lines with whole numbers and fractions. We also investigated how these relations were moderated by classroom characteristics, person characteristics, and trial characteristics. Mathematical achievement and number line estimation accuracy were associated even after controlling for potentially confounding variables. Subpopulations of students showed meaningful differences in estimation accuracy, which can serve as benchmarks in future studies. Compared with the number line estimation task with whole numbers, the number line estimation task with fractions was more strongly related to mathematical achievement in students across the entire mathematical achievement spectrum. These results show that the number line estimation task is a valid and useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring mathematical achievement.

Parenting Styles and Their Associations With Children's Body Composition, Activity Patterns, Fitness, Diet, Health, and Academic Achievement.

Background: Evidence regarding the impact of parenting style on health and other outcomes is inconsistent and limited by measurement quality and type. This study will examine associations between parenting style and children's objectively assessed activity patterns, body composition, fitness, diet, health, and academic achievement. Methods: Two hundred fifty-five children (mean age: 9.4 years) from Adelaide, Australia, were included. Parenting style (items from Child Rearing Questionnaire and National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth to assess Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, Disengaged parenting), diet, and health were proxy-reported by parents. Body composition, fitness, and 24 hour activity patterns were objectively measured, and children reported screen-time. Academic achievement was measured using standardized tests in reading and mathematics. Mixed models were used to regress parenting style against activity patterns, body composition, fitness, diet, health, and academic achievement, adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic position, and pubertal stage. Results: Children with Disengaged parents had poorer activity patterns: less moderate to vigorous physical activity (standard mean difference [SMD] relative to grand mean = -0.23), light physical activity (SMD = -0.13) and sleep (SMD = -0.18), more sitting (SMD = 0.45), later bedtime (SMD = 0.18), lower overall energy expenditure (SMD = -0.23), and poorer overall self-reported health (SMD = -0.30). Children with Permissive parents had generally better activity patterns (SMD = 0.25-0.32). Children with Authoritative parents were more likely to meet dietary guidelines for fruit intake (SMD = 0.12). There were no associations for Authoritarian parenting style or for academic achievement, body composition, or fitness. Conclusions: Disengaged parenting was detrimental, while Permissive parenting was beneficial for activity patterns. As parenting styles may be malleable, future interventions may target Permissive parenting to improve children's activity patterns. Trial registration: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, identifier ACTRN12618002008202. Retrospectively registered on 14 December 2018.

Academic achievement in math and language of migrant and local students: The role of teachers' educational expectations and ethnic composition

There is a vast literature in developed countries that has documented an ethnic gap in academic achievement, which favors local students. This evidence has discussed individual and structural factors. Despite this, there are still gaps that need to be addressed. This study seeks to deepen into the Latin American case and delve into the relationship between the educational expectations of teachers and the ethnic composition of the classrooms with the academic results of migrant and local students. Census data of fourth-grade students in Chile are used through standardized tests in mathematics and language and analyzed with multilevel models of four levels (students, classrooms, schools, and local authorities). The results suggest that children from ethnic minorities are at a disadvantaged compared to their national peers in mathematics, but not in language. The educational expectations of teachers have a positive relationship with academic achievement. The opposite happens with the percentage of migrant students in the classroom. Interaction analyses indicate that the association between teachers' educational expectations and academic achievement is moderated in part by the ethnic composition of the classroom. Finally, possible explanations for the observed findings and contributions to public policy are discussed.

Association of Neonatal Hypoglycemia With Academic Performance in Mid-Childhood

Neonatal hypoglycemia is associated with increased risk of poor executive and visual-motor function, but implications for later learning are uncertain. To test the hypothesis that neonatal hypoglycemia is associated with educational performance at age 9 to 10 years. Prospective cohort study of moderate to late preterm and term infants born at risk of hypoglycemia. Blood and masked interstitial sensor glucose concentrations were measured for up to 7 days. Infants with hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose concentration <47 mg/dL [2.6 mmol/L]) were treated to maintain a blood glucose concentration of at least 47 mg/dL. Six hundred fourteen infants were recruited at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand, in 2006-2010; 480 were assessed at age 9 to 10 years in 2016-2020. Hypoglycemia was defined as at least 1 hypoglycemic event, representing the sum of nonconcurrent hypoglycemic and interstitial episodes (sensor glucose concentration <47 mg/dL for ≥10 minutes) more than 20 minutes apart. The primary outcome was low educational achievement, defined as performing below or well below the normative curriculum level in standardized tests of reading comprehension or mathematics. There were 47 secondary outcomes related to executive function, visual-motor function, psychosocial adaptation, and general health. Of 587 eligible children (230 [48%] female), 480 (82%) were assessed at a mean age of 9.4 (SD, 0.3) years. Children who were and were not exposed to neonatal hypoglycemia did not significantly differ on rates of low educational achievement (138/304 [47%] vs 82/176 [48%], respectively; adjusted risk difference, -2% [95% CI, -11% to 8%]; adjusted relative risk, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.78-1.15]). Children who were exposed to neonatal hypoglycemia, compared with those not exposed, were significantly less likely to be rated by teachers as being below or well below the curriculum level for reading (68/281 [24%] vs 49/157 [31%], respectively; adjusted risk difference, -9% [95% CI, -17% to -1%]; adjusted relative risk, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.53-0.99; P = .04]). Groups were not significantly different for other secondary end points. Among participants at risk of neonatal hypoglycemia who were screened and treated if needed, exposure to neonatal hypoglycemia compared with no such exposure was not significantly associated with lower educational achievement in mid-childhood.

School violence negative effect on student academic performance: a multilevel analysis

The relative roles of school context and individual student factors are of special interest to educators in measuring academic performance. Little is known about the effect of school violence on a student’s academic performance and well-being. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of three types of school violence (direct violence, discrimination, and cyberbullying) on students’ academic performance in standardized tests of mathematics, reading and history, and to identify individual student factors that contribute to reducing the negative effect of exposure to violence at school. We used 10th grade Chilean student data from the representative cross-sectional test of the Education Quality Measurement System (SIMCE in Spanish) from 2015. Multilevel linear models, adjusted for gender, incorporated other school and environmental contextual factors, as well as individual student factors. The results show that school violence in its three forms had a negative effect on academic performance. Student self-efficacy, educational expectations and satisfaction with interpersonal relations with their teachers, were important in reducing the negative effect of exposure to violence. The implications for the school are discussed.

The prevalence and correlates of vision impairment and glasses ownership among ethnic minority and Han schoolchildren in rural China.

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of visual impairment and glasses ownership among Han Chinese and Hui minority junior high school children in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.MethodsVision screening was conducted on 20,376 children (age 12–15 years) in all 124 rural junior high schools in Ningxia. Personal and family characteristics, glasses ownership, and academic performance were assessed through a survey questionnaire and standardized mathematics test, respectively.ResultsThe prevalence of visual acuity (VA) ≤6/12 in either eye was significantly higher among Han (54.5%) than Hui (45.2%) children (P<0.001), and was significantly positively associated with age, female sex, Han ethnicity, parental outmigration for work, shorter time spent outside during recess, shorter time spent watching television and higher time spent studying. Among children with VA≤6/12 in both eyes, only 56.8% of Han and 41.5% of Hui children had glasses (P<0.001). Glasses ownership was significantly associated with worse vision, greater family wealth, female sex, higher test scores, age, parental outmigration for work, understanding of myopia and glasses, higher time spent studying and Han ethnicity.ConclusionOne of the first of its kind, this report on Han and Hui ethnic schoolchildren confirms a high prevalence of visual impairment among both populations, but slightly higher among the Han. Both groups, especially the Hui, have low rates of glasses ownership. Future interventions and policies designed to improve glasses usage should focus on populations with lower incomes and seek to correct erroneous beliefs about the safety of glasses and efficacy of traditional eye exercises.

Spatial divisions of poverty and wealth: does segregation affect educational achievement?

AbstractWe examine how different spatial compositions affect the educational achievement in mathematics of 16-year-old students in Chile, a Latin American country with high inequality and one of the most segregated education systems in the world. Conceptually, we complement the literature on ‘neighbourhood effects’, which typically addresses the influence of concentrated disadvantage, by focusing on concentrated advantage and its influence on educational outcomes. We construct a panel with all school students who took a national standardized mathematics test in 2010, 2014 and 2016 in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile. We complement it with survey data for the 52 districts of the Metropolitan Region, clustering the districts based on factors such as unemployment, economic inequality, access to services, experiences of violence and stigmatization. Our different identification strategies consistently show that concentrated poverty and affluence are both relevant for explaining educational achievement in mathematics above and beyond individual and school characteristics.

Evolution of the Content and Quality of Standardized Tests in Mathematics in Ukraine

The evolution of the content and quality of written state standardized final and entrance testing in mathematics in Ukraine, from the first attempt to implement in 1994 until now, is considered in the article. We describe the features and stages of development of Ukrainian standardized tests in mathematics (external independent assessment and state final attestation), analyze the causes of successes and failures and also prospects for their further improvement. Based on our own statistical experiment, we compare the quality of mathematical preparation of Ukrainian graduates who entered the pedagogical universities of Ukraine in 1994, 2005 and 2020. According to this experiment, we draw conclusions about the existing problems of ensuring the proper quality of mathematics education in Ukraine and give recommendations on possible solutions to these problems.

Item Characteristic Curve Asymmetry: A Better Way to Accommodate Slips and Guesses Than a Four-Parameter Model?

Four-parameter models have received increasing psychometric attention in recent years, as a reduced upper asymptote for item characteristic curves can be appealing for measurement applications such as adaptive testing and person-fit assessment. However, applications can be challenging due to the large number of parameters in the model. In this article, we demonstrate in the context of mathematics assessments how the slip and guess parameters of a four-parameter model may often be empirically related. This observation also has a psychological explanation to the extent that both asymptote parameters may be manifestations of a single item complexity characteristic. The relationship between lower and upper asymptotes motivates the consideration of an asymmetric item response theory model as a three-parameter alternative to the four-parameter model. Using actual response data from mathematics multiple-choice tests, we demonstrate the empirical superiority of a three-parameter asymmetric model in several standardized tests of mathematics. To the extent that a model of asymmetry ultimately portrays slips and guesses not as purely random but rather as proficiency-related phenomena, we argue that the asymmetric approach may also have greater psychological plausibility.

A distinction between working memory components as unique predictors of mathematical components in 7–8 year old children

Despite evidence for the involvement of working memory in mathematics attainment, the understanding of its components relationship to individual areas of mathematics is somewhat restricted. This study aims to better understand this relationship. Two-hundred and fourteen year 3 children in the UK were administered tests of verbal and visuospatial working memory, followed by a standardised mathematics test. Confirmatory factor analyses and variance partitioning were then performed on the data to identify the unique variance accounted for by verbal and visuospatial working memory measures for each component of mathematics assessed. Results revealed contrasting patterns between components, with those typically visual components demonstrating a larger proportion of unique variance explained by visuospatial measures. This pattern reveals a level of specificity with regard to the component of working memory engaged depending on the component of mathematics being assessed. Implications for educators and further research are discussed.