Re: Boston Globe: MCAS results show weakness in teens' grasp of
Eric Bohlman wrote: Robert J. MacG. Dawson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If indeed the scores are being reduced by hiding the easy questions among the harder ones, then I would say yes, this is a defect of the current system, and should be changed. It may be that the questions themselves ought to be more difficult; but the difficulty ought to be intrinsic to the questions, not an artifact of the test format. What is at issue here is essentially signal-to-noise ratio. In fact, format-related difficulty on a test gives an unfair advantage to students who have taken test-prep courses, since most of the skills they teach relate to pacing, figuring out formats, and the like rather than to actual academic content. Since test-taking skills are generally *not* taught in schools themselves, Not so fast, gang! Since schools (and sometimes teachers) are rated on the percent of students who pass a standardized test, it has become common in many places for teachers to spend a good deal of time teaching the kids how to take the tests. In the elementary grades this can amount to significant percentages of 'education' time. In some places kids had to forego recess to get in the exam prep time. That's why they call them high stakes tests - the outcome is critical to teachers, principals, and superintendents' livelihood. As we (collective we) pointed out, a disparity in test taking preparation distorts the scores achieved, clouding (through reduced signal/noise ratio) the interpretability of the results. Did someone in authority, who ordered these high stakes tests, _not_ expect this distortion to occur? It may be an unintended consequence, but I can hardly believe it was unexpected. The distortion of the educational curriculum content is another consequence. So long as the questions have the same relationship to technical content as the famous MCAS #39 has to what we call statistical thinking (and doing), we can expect more and continuing distortions of education content. What teacher would struggle to understand and communicate the real thing, when the test won't come close to it? If the students do not do well on the test, said teacher can kiss their job goodby. Time to get with the program. that's for public schools. In most states, the high stakes tests are not administered, or reported, by private schools. Read that for what you will. evaluating schools on criteria that are strongly influenced by their students' test-taking skills amounts to evaluating them on criteria beyond their control, in this case the number of parents who both care enough and (*big* and!) can afford to send their kids to test-prep courses. Jay -- Jay Warner Principal Scientist Warner Consulting, Inc. North Green Bay Road Racine, WI 53404-1216 USA Ph: (262) 634-9100 FAX: (262) 681-1133 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: http://www.a2q.com The A2Q Method (tm) -- What do you want to improve today? = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
formula for union of sets
Feller's book (part 1) contains a formula for the probability of the union of a finite number of sets in terms of an alternating series. Does anyone know where an extension to infinite unions is published? Thank you. = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
standard disclaimer/caution?
In a table comparing data from one study to another I have 2 items that are similar but not exactly the same in wording (ie. done x in past month vs. done x in past 30 days is only one example). Is there a standard statement of interpretation caution for readers? = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
Re: SD is Useful to Normal Distribution Only ?
On 21 Aug 2001, Donald Burrill wrote: On 21 Aug 2001, RFerreira wrote [edited]: The formula [for] the Standard Deviation, SD=((x-mean)^2/(n-1))^0.5, can be applied to any data set. [With] that value we know two things about the set: mean and SD. With these two values we can have one powerful intuitive use to them: The centre of the set is the mean and 68% of values are in the interval [mean-SD to mean+SD], IF the set have Normal Distribution. If the set distribution is NOT Normal, what intuitive use have the values? How about limiting distribution (CLT)? = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
Re: MDS, the radex, and indices of multidimensionality agreement
Thanks a lot John, Indeed Gutman has worked on the radex, so I get something out of his papers. I also found your suggestions on the agreement very helpful (haven't tried them yet). Once again cheers Niko Tiliopoulos Psychology Research The University of Edinburgh Uk = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
Job Opening: Six Continents Resorts
I have a position opening up: Manager Analytics Six Continents (we own Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and Intercontinental) Atlanta, Georgia Masters required or Ph.d preferred in a quantitative discipline 2+ Years experience database marketing, consulting skills a plus Statistical modeling and experimental design SAS Energy and strong communication skills 63-70K, sign on bonus for those that qualify, relocation, and 20% annual cash bonus. email if qualified only: [EMAIL PROTECTED] = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
Re: Factor analysis - which package is best for Windows?
KyPlot runs under Windows, is freeware and gives you several factor analysis algorithms to choose from. http://www.rocketdownload.com/Details/Math/kyplot.htm On Wed, 29 Aug 2001 23:59:44 +0100, Aron Landy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Problem is, SAS costs about $20,000 whereas CVF IMSL come bundled for $800 Aron = Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ =
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