Students’ achievement, students’ perceptions and predictors of success: A further look at the National Test of Trinidad and Tobago: [Unpublished] Research report
Date
2014-12-16
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Abstract
This research report is based on the 2009 National Test results in Trinidad and Tobago in the subject areas of Language Arts and Mathematics. It is the sequel to an earlier study by Anderson, George, and Herbert (2009), which analysed the 2006 National Test results, also in Language Arts and Mathematics. Both studies sought to analyse educational indicator data comprising results from the National Test for Standard 3 students (aged 9-10 years) in ways that identify relationships of student achievement to factors involving students, schools, and the home. The study was conducted during 2009-2010 and used the results of the 2009 administration of the National Test in Language Arts and Mathematics, as well as questionnaire responses obtained during that period. Statistical analyses included multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that in the 2009 administration of the National Test, girls scored higher than boys in both Language Arts and Mathematics. Generally, both boys and girls in all school types were satisfied with the care and attention they received from both teachers and parents as they engaged in their educational pursuits. The regression analysis results indicate that achievement in Language Arts is positively related to the extent to which students see themselves as competent readers, have a positive attitude towards school and school work, and perceive their teachers as caring about their performance in school work. The predictors for Mathematics achievement were similar to those described above for Language Arts; however, there was a fifth predictor in the model for mathematics—students’ view of mathematics. The results suggest that policymakers need to consider planning for the development of students’ level of satisfaction with their school environment, as well as teachers’ ability to be supportive of and encouraging to their students as possible means of enhancing student performance, at least at the Standard 3 level.
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Primary school students, Student evaluation, National tests, Test results, Trinidad and Tobago, Data analysis