This study investigates predictors of reading literacy and its improvement during one year of edu... more This study investigates predictors of reading literacy and its improvement during one year of education in secondary school. In a sample of 3352 Polish students attending vocational school and 3 types of high-schools (1708 males and 1644 females, mean age 16.7 at the beginning of the study), reading literacy was measured twice in the first and the second year of secondary education using the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tools. During the year, intelligence was also assessed and trait- and state-anxiety test was implemented after the second reading measurement. Results showed that vocational school students had lower reading scores than high-school students in the first reading test and this difference grew larger by the second test. Girls not only outperformed boys in reading but improved their skills during the year more than boys as well. We observed positive effects of intelligence and negative overall effect of trait- and state-anxiety. SES only predicted intelligence and first time reading performance.
Modern approaches to measuring cognitive ability and testing knowledge frequently use multiple-ch... more Modern approaches to measuring cognitive ability and testing knowledge frequently use multiple-choice items. These can be simply and rapidly scored without problems associated with rater subjectivity. Nevertheless, multiple-choice tests are often criticized owing to their vulnerability to guessing. In this paper the impact of guessing was examined using simulation. Ability estimates were obtained from the two IRT models commonly used for binary-scored items: the two-parameter logistic model and the three-parameter logistic model. The latter approach explicitly models guessing, whilst the former does not. Rather counter-intuitively, little difference was identified for point estimates of ability from the 2PLM and 3PLM. Nevertheless, it should be noted that difficulty and discrimination parameters are severely downwardly biased if a 2PLM is used to calibrate data generated by processes involving guessing. Estimated standard errors for ability estimates also differ considerably between these models.
In our research we explored the moderating effect of trait-anxiety on improving academic performa... more In our research we explored the moderating effect of trait-anxiety on improving academic performance during one year. A large sample of 3457 adolescents (1695 girls and 1762 boys) aged from 16 to 17 years took part in the Polish extension in 2009 of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) measuring mathematics, reading and science skills. After 12 months they completed the academic performance test once again, and trait and state-anxiety was measured using STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Trait-anxiety moderated the change in performance in mathematics but not in science or reading. A high level of trait-anxiety impaired mathematics skills development. Additionally three models for mathematics, reading and science were tested in which state-anxiety predicted 2010 academic performance in these domains.
W roku 2012 egzamin gimnazjalny przeprowadzony został według nowych zasad. Po raz pierwszy sprawd... more W roku 2012 egzamin gimnazjalny przeprowadzony został według nowych zasad. Po raz pierwszy sprawdzał on opanowanie wiadomości i umiejętności uczniów nauczanych wedle nowej, wprowadzonej w 2009 roku, podstawy programowej. Tak jak poprzednie edycje, składał się z trzech części (humanistycznej, matematyczno-przyrodniczej oraz części dotyczącej języka obcego nowożytnego) jednak struktura każdej z części uległa znacznym zmianom. W nowej formule każda część składa się z dwóch oddzielnych testów. W części ...
The study is the first stage of a longitudinal project aimed at monitoring links between basic sk... more The study is the first stage of a longitudinal project aimed at monitoring links between basic skills, educational qualifications and labor market outcomes in Poland. We focus on specific aspects concerning educational and occupational choices of young Poles and of broader issues of social stratification and mobility in post-industrial societies. In addition to theory, our research is also driven by social policy issues designed to deliver practical recommendations for educational and labor market policies.
This study investigates predictors of reading literacy and its improvement during one year of edu... more This study investigates predictors of reading literacy and its improvement during one year of education in secondary school. In a sample of 3352 Polish students attending vocational school and 3 types of high-schools (1708 males and 1644 females, mean age 16.7 at the beginning of the study), reading literacy was measured twice in the first and the second year of secondary education using the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tools. During the year, intelligence was also assessed and trait- and state-anxiety test was implemented after the second reading measurement. Results showed that vocational school students had lower reading scores than high-school students in the first reading test and this difference grew larger by the second test. Girls not only outperformed boys in reading but improved their skills during the year more than boys as well. We observed positive effects of intelligence and negative overall effect of trait- and state-anxiety. SES only predicted intelligence and first time reading performance.
Modern approaches to measuring cognitive ability and testing knowledge frequently use multiple-ch... more Modern approaches to measuring cognitive ability and testing knowledge frequently use multiple-choice items. These can be simply and rapidly scored without problems associated with rater subjectivity. Nevertheless, multiple-choice tests are often criticized owing to their vulnerability to guessing. In this paper the impact of guessing was examined using simulation. Ability estimates were obtained from the two IRT models commonly used for binary-scored items: the two-parameter logistic model and the three-parameter logistic model. The latter approach explicitly models guessing, whilst the former does not. Rather counter-intuitively, little difference was identified for point estimates of ability from the 2PLM and 3PLM. Nevertheless, it should be noted that difficulty and discrimination parameters are severely downwardly biased if a 2PLM is used to calibrate data generated by processes involving guessing. Estimated standard errors for ability estimates also differ considerably between these models.
In our research we explored the moderating effect of trait-anxiety on improving academic performa... more In our research we explored the moderating effect of trait-anxiety on improving academic performance during one year. A large sample of 3457 adolescents (1695 girls and 1762 boys) aged from 16 to 17 years took part in the Polish extension in 2009 of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) measuring mathematics, reading and science skills. After 12 months they completed the academic performance test once again, and trait and state-anxiety was measured using STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Trait-anxiety moderated the change in performance in mathematics but not in science or reading. A high level of trait-anxiety impaired mathematics skills development. Additionally three models for mathematics, reading and science were tested in which state-anxiety predicted 2010 academic performance in these domains.
W roku 2012 egzamin gimnazjalny przeprowadzony został według nowych zasad. Po raz pierwszy sprawd... more W roku 2012 egzamin gimnazjalny przeprowadzony został według nowych zasad. Po raz pierwszy sprawdzał on opanowanie wiadomości i umiejętności uczniów nauczanych wedle nowej, wprowadzonej w 2009 roku, podstawy programowej. Tak jak poprzednie edycje, składał się z trzech części (humanistycznej, matematyczno-przyrodniczej oraz części dotyczącej języka obcego nowożytnego) jednak struktura każdej z części uległa znacznym zmianom. W nowej formule każda część składa się z dwóch oddzielnych testów. W części ...
The study is the first stage of a longitudinal project aimed at monitoring links between basic sk... more The study is the first stage of a longitudinal project aimed at monitoring links between basic skills, educational qualifications and labor market outcomes in Poland. We focus on specific aspects concerning educational and occupational choices of young Poles and of broader issues of social stratification and mobility in post-industrial societies. In addition to theory, our research is also driven by social policy issues designed to deliver practical recommendations for educational and labor market policies.
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Papers by Tomasz Żółtak