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The Effect of Allocated Assessment Time and Allocated Instructional Time on Student Achievement in Small, Medium, and Large School Districts in Florida
Title
The Effect of Allocated Assessment Time and Allocated Instructional Time on Student Achievement in Small, Medium, and Large School Districts in Florida.
Creator
Crupi, Samuel, Jeanpierre, Bobby, Gresham, Gina, Haciomeroglu, Erhan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
To date, there is little current research which explores the effect of allocated assessment time and allocated instructional time as related to student achievement (Spanjers, Burns, (&) Wagner, 2008). Current educational reform has placed accountability and assessment at the forefront of public education (Hirsh, 2007; Jennings, 2012; Kallemeyn, 2009; NCLB, 2001; Supovitz, 2009). Research of time on task has demonstrated that there may be a positive correlation between the amount of time on...
Show moreTo date, there is little current research which explores the effect of allocated assessment time and allocated instructional time as related to student achievement (Spanjers, Burns, (&) Wagner, 2008). Current educational reform has placed accountability and assessment at the forefront of public education (Hirsh, 2007; Jennings, 2012; Kallemeyn, 2009; NCLB, 2001; Supovitz, 2009). Research of time on task has demonstrated that there may be a positive correlation between the amount of time on task in learning activities and student achievement (Fredricks, McColskey, Meli, Mordica, Montrosse, (&) Mooney, (2011). There is current legislation to increase the time demands of assessment and the resulting decrease of allocated instructional time may result in lower levels of student achievement (Butler, 1926; 1936; Brophy, Rohrkemper, Rashid, (&) Goldwater, 1982; Carroll, 1963; Doppelt, Mehalik, Schunn, Silk, (&) Krysinski, 2008; Spanjers, Burns, (&) Wagner, 2008; Wyss, Dolenc, Kong, (&) Tai, 2013). The purpose of this study was to compare allocated assessment time to allocated instructional time in small, medium, and large school districts in Florida. A sample of 12 school districts was selected representing small, medium, and large school districts based on student enrollment from Florida Education Finance Plan (FEFP) data. Data related to State and school district mandated assessments were collected for each school district using school district testing calendars and State assessment calendars. These data were examined and the number of minutes spent on each assessment was calculated. The calculation was used to determine the amount of time spent on State and school district mandated assessment. Allocated instructional time was calculated using the difference in allocated time and allocated assessment time. In addition, data were analyzed to determine what, if any, relationship existed between allocated assessment time and school district size as well as student achievement. Time lost to assessment preparation was also included in the determination of allocated assessment time.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005777, ucf:50056
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005777
SELLING "DREAM INSURANCE": THE STANDARDIZED TEST-PREPARATION INDUSTRY'S SEARCH FOR LEGITIMACY, 1946-1989
Title
SELLING "DREAM INSURANCE": THE STANDARDIZED TEST-PREPARATION INDUSTRY'S SEARCH FOR LEGITIMACY, 1946-1989.
Creator
Shepherd, Keegan, Crepeau, Richard, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This thesis analyzes the origins, growth, and legitimization of the standardized test preparation ("test-prep") industry from the late 1940s to the end of the 1980s. In particular, this thesis focuses on the development of Stanley H. Kaplan Education Centers, Ltd. ("Kaplan") and The Princeton Review ("TPR"), and how these companies were most conducive in making the test-prep industry and standardized test-preparation itself socially acceptable. The standardized test most frequently discussed...
Show moreThis thesis analyzes the origins, growth, and legitimization of the standardized test preparation ("test-prep") industry from the late 1940s to the end of the 1980s. In particular, this thesis focuses on the development of Stanley H. Kaplan Education Centers, Ltd. ("Kaplan") and The Princeton Review ("TPR"), and how these companies were most conducive in making the test-prep industry and standardized test-preparation itself socially acceptable. The standardized test most frequently discussed in this thesis is the Scholastic Aptitude Test ("SAT"), especially after its development came under the control of Educational Testing Service ("ETS"), but due attention is also given to the American College Testing Program ("ACT"). This thesis argues that certain test-prep companies gained legitimacy by successfully manipulating the interstices of American business and education, and brokered legitimacy through the rhetorical devices in their advertising. However, the legitimacy for the industry at-large was gained by default as neither the American government nor the American public could conclusively demonstrate that the industry conducted wholesale fraud. The thesis also argues that standardized test manufacturers were forced to engage in a cat-and-mouse game of pseudo-antagonism and adaptation with the test-prep industry once truth-in-testing laws prescribed transparent operations in standardized testing. These developments affect the current state of American standardized testing, its fluctuating but ubiquitous presence in the college admissions process, and the perpetuation of the test-prep industry decades after its origins.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0003746, ucf:48792
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003746
Middle Grades Science in Florida: A Comparison of Student Achievement in Comprehensive and Subject-specific Science Courses 2013-2017
Title
Middle Grades Science in Florida: A Comparison of Student Achievement in Comprehensive and Subject-specific Science Courses 2013-2017.
Creator
Moore, Kenneth, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Lee, Storey, Valerie A., Gao, Su, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
As with U.S. student achievement on national and international science assessments, Florida's 8th grade student achievement on the 2013(-)2017 8th grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) 2.0 Science/Statewide Science Assessment (SSA) was stagnant. To break this stagnation, many Florida school districts have changed middle grades science course offerings from traditional, subject-specific, discipline-based, layered, or field-specific science courses to comprehensive, integrated,...
Show moreAs with U.S. student achievement on national and international science assessments, Florida's 8th grade student achievement on the 2013(-)2017 8th grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) 2.0 Science/Statewide Science Assessment (SSA) was stagnant. To break this stagnation, many Florida school districts have changed middle grades science course offerings from traditional, subject-specific, discipline-based, layered, or field-specific science courses to comprehensive, integrated, spiraled, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, thematic, or general science courses. There was a lack of research showing if either type of science course improved student achievement on standardized science assessments. Controlling for school district student population, low socio-economic status (SES) student percentage, and English learner (EL) percentage, this study compared the 2013(-)2017 8th grade FCAT 2.0 Science/SSA school district mean scale scores of two groups of school districts: those that offered comprehensive science courses and those that offered subject-specific science courses. Scores for three student groups were analyzed: all students, low SES students, and ELs. No statistically significant differences were found in school district mean scale scores or pass rates between the two school district groups. The comprehensive group mean scale scores were numerically higher, while the subject-specific group mean pass rates were numerically higher. The subject-specific group had statistically significantly higher raw scores for life science and physical science. The comprehensive group had wider dispersions of mean scale scores and pass rates, suggesting inconsistencies in implementation of comprehensive science courses. The primary implication of this study is that educational leaders should not expect to improve student science achievement simply by changing the type of science course offering. Changes should be made with consideration to student needs, school district demographics, teacher professional development and support, course structure and coherence with standards, and the need for flexibility in teacher assignments.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0007410, ucf:52710
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007410