ERIC Number: EJ1449209
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1062-7197
EISSN: EISSN-1532-6977
Exploring Sources of Bias to Improve the Universal Design of Mathematical Problem-Solving Tests
Yiyun Fan; Kristin L. K. Koskey; Dara Bright; Gabriel Matney; Jonathan Bostic; Toni A. May; Gregory E. Stone
Educational Assessment, v29 n4 p274-292 2024
Advancement of testing of mathematical problem-solving skills calls for open-ended, realistic tasks particularly susceptible to bias, compromising the score validity and fairness of tests. Informed by universal design principles, this study framed 360 prototype items developed for the "Problem-solving Measures Grades 6-8 Computer Adaptive Tests" as a bounded case to illuminate sources of bias in middle-school mathematics assessment. Experts' shared understandings of potential sources of bias were collected using an iterative Delphi technique. Four themes in sources emerged from a thematic analysis of 201 sources of bias identified: "assumed lived experiences, language use, item presentation," and "stereotypes." These sources potentially placed subgroups of students from certain sociocultural backgrounds (e.g. culture, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status) at a disadvantage by challenging them in ways unrelated to mathematical problem solving. Recommendations for minimizing potential sources of bias in test development to achieve equitable K-12 mathematics problem-solving tests are discussed.
Descriptors: Access to Education, Mathematics Education, Problem Solving, Mathematics Tests, Test Bias, Middle School Mathematics, Educational Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Legislation, Word Problems (Mathematics), Expertise, Test Content, Content Analysis, Administrators, Doctoral Students, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Inclusion
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Elementary Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Every Student Succeeds Act 2015
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A