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1. Validating the use of student-level instruments to examine preservice teachers’ mathematical problem solving.

   Folger, T.; Stewart, M.; Bostic, J.; May, T. (December 2022, School science and mathematics)

   Problem solving is a central focus of mathematics teaching and learning. If teachers are expected to support students' problem-solving development, then it reasons that teachers should also be able to solve problems aligned to grade level content standards. The purpose of this validation study is twofold: (1) to present evidence supporting the use of the Problem Solving Measures Grades 3–5 with preservice teachers (PSTs), and (2) to examine PSTs' abilities to solve problems aligned to grades 3–5 academic content standards. This study used Rasch measurement techniques to support psychometric analysis of the Problem Solving Measures when used with PSTs. Results indicate the Problem Solving Measures are appropriate for use with PSTs, and PSTs' performance on the Problem Solving Measures differed between first-year PSTs and end-of-program PSTs. Implications include program evaluation and the potential benefits of using K-12 student-level assessments as measures of PSTs' content knowledge. 

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2. Deepening the Validity Argument for the Problem-Solving Measures 3-5

   Bostic, J.; Matney, G.; Folger, T.; Brown, N.; Evans, E.; May, T.; Stone G. (January 2022, Hawaii International Conference on Education)

   Problem solving is a theme within mathematics instructional standards, which suggests that assessments must address mathematics content and practices. This study examines grades 3-5 students’ strategy use on a test designed to measure students problem-solving performance within the context of mathematics standards used during instruction. The tests are called the Problem-Solving Measures. Results indicate that students use multiple and varied strategies to solve PSM items, which in turn supports prior validation studies. 

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3. Changing populations: Using the PSMs with teachers.

   Bostic, J.; Folger, T.; Matney, G.; May, T.; Koskey, K.; Stone, G. (October 2022, Psychology of Mathematics Education North America)

   Lischka, A; Dyer, E.; Jones, E.; Lovett, J.; Strayer, J.; Drown, S. (Ed.)

   Using a test for a purpose it was not intended for can promote misleading results and interpretations, potentially leading to negative consequences from testing (AERA et al., 2014). For example, a mathematics test designed for use with grade 7 students is likely inappropriate for use with grade 3 students. There may be cases when a test can be used with a population related to the intended one; however, validity evidence and claims must be examined. We explored the use of student measures with preservice teachers (PSTs) in a teacher-education context. The present study intends to spark a discussion about using some student measures with teachers. The Problem-solving Measures (PSMs) were developed for use with grades 3-8 students. They measure students’ problem-solving performance within the context of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSI, 2010; see Bostic & Sondergeld, 2015; Bostic et al., 2017; Bostic et al., 2021). After their construction, the developers wondered: If students were expected to engage successfully on the PSMs, then might future grades 3-8 teachers also demonstrate proficiency? 

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4. Changing populations: Using the PSMs with teachers

   Bostic, J. (October 2022, Proceedings of the forty-fourth annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education)

   A. Lischka, E. Dyer (Ed.)

   Using a test for a purpose it was not intended for can promote misleading results and interpretations, potentially leading to negative consequences from testing (AERA et al., 2014). For example, a mathematics test designed for use with grade 7 students is likely inappropriate for use with grade 3 students. There may be cases when a test can be used with a population related to the intended one; however, validity evidence and claims must be examined. We explored the use of student measures with preservice teachers (PSTs) in a teacher-education context. The present study intends to spark a discussion about using some student measures with teachers. The Problem-solving Measures (PSMs) were developed for use with grades 3-8 students. They measure students’ problem-solving performance within the context of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSI, 2010; see Bostic & Sondergeld, 2015; Bostic et al., 2017; Bostic et al., 2021). After their construction, the developers wondered: If students were expected to engage successfully on the PSMs, then might future grades 3-8 teachers also demonstrate proficiency? 

   more » « less
5. Changing populations: Using the PSMs with teachers.

   Bostic, J.; Folger, T.; Matney, G.; May, T.; Koskey, K.; Stone, G. (October 2022, Psychology of Mathematics Education North America)

   Lischka, A.; Dyer, E.; Jones, R.; Lovett, J.; Strayer, J.; Drown, S. (Ed.)

   Using a test for a purpose it was not intended for can promote misleading results and interpretations, potentially leading to negative consequences from testing (AERA et al., 2014). For example, a mathematics test designed for use with grade 7 students is likely inappropriate for use with grade 3 students. There may be cases when a test can be used with a population related to the intended one; however, validity evidence and claims must be examined. We explored the use of student measures with preservice teachers (PSTs) in a teacher-education context. The present study intends to spark a discussion about using some student measures with teachers. The Problem-solving Measures (PSMs) were developed for use with grades 3-8 students. They measure students’ problem-solving performance within the context of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSI, 2010; see Bostic & Sondergeld, 2015; Bostic et al., 2017; Bostic et al., 2021). After their construction, the developers wondered: If students were expected to engage successfully on the PSMs, then might future grades 3-8 teachers also demonstrate proficiency? 

   more » « less