Articles tagged with Educational Testing
Surveillance testing using saliva-based PCR tests significantly reduced community COVID-19 spread, catching 62% of positive cases in the Fall 2020 semester. By combining testing with mitigation strategies like masking and social distancing, Georgia Tech reduced positivity rates from 4.1% to below 0.5%.
A new study demonstrates that playing a child-friendly action video game can improve reading skills, including speed, accuracy, and comprehension. Children who played the game showed significant long-term improvements in attentional control and literacy compared to those who played a coding game.
A randomized field experiment with 1,143 students aged 9-16 found that depleted self-control from a previous demanding task increases cheating in tests. The study suggests that exhaustion can lead to a greater temptation to cheat.
A study of over 560,000 children in India, Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda found that private education made little difference in learning outcomes, with gains largely attributed to more advantaged backgrounds. The researchers suggest that private schools may be drawing support away from state education without significantly improving stan...
Young people who consider themselves ‘multilingual’ perform better across a wide range of subjects at school, regardless of their language proficiency. Research shows that encouraging pupils to identify with languages and value different styles of communication can support academic progress.
A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.
The University of Huddersfield is leading a four-year project to analyze early intervention programs for young people aged 14-16 in England. The study aims to provide a systematic understanding of existing practice and its impact on young people, with potential contributions to improved support and education policy.
Weekly saliva tests contributed to low transmission rates among students, teachers, and staff at schools serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Safety protocols, including masking and social distancing, helped maintain low transmission rates.
Researchers at UB develop augmented reality and mobile game versions of the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders assessment to expand its reach. The games will help teachers determine if their pre-kindergarten students are ready for formal schooling.
A study found that girls in secondary school are less motivated by traditional fitness tests, which often involve running and measuring heart and lung performance. To address this issue, experts recommend new teaching strategies and online interventions like exergames to promote healthy lifestyle habits.
UMass Lowell is part of a nationwide program to evaluate rapid COVID-19 diagnostic methods. Researchers will assess the reliability and sensitivity of new products using clinical trials and community testing sites.
The University of Maryland has developed a new hypertension management program for older adults, integrating the DASH diet with physical activity and self-management. The program aims to improve knowledge, access, and self-monitoring skills for this demographic.
Researchers found that proactive, frequent rapid testing is more effective at preventing large transmission clusters than delayed measures. Regular screening identified asymptomatic infections before symptoms developed, leading to a significant reduction in outbreaks.
Researchers used digital pens to capture participants' performance during cognitive tests, identifying patterns that correlate with physical function. They found groups of participants who had similar patterns of writing and thinking times, which were linked to poorer physical function or memory/executive function scores.
A new study found that frequent COVID-19 testing, especially using polymerase chain reaction tests paired with rapid results reporting, can achieve 98% sensitivity in detecting infection. This approach can be particularly effective in places where vaccination is not yet widespread or when variants are on the rise.
A first-of-its-kind study linked infant curiosity, measured by reactions to magic tricks, to later cognitive ability in toddlers. Researchers found that babies who showed interest in surprising events remained curious as preschoolers, suggesting a potential predictor of future learning and academic success.
Researchers found that even with a small number of gravitational wave events, small modeling errors can accumulate and lead to misleading deviations from general relativity. This highlights the importance of considering theoretical model errors when testing Einstein's theory.
A study by Brown University found that school boards can increase civic engagement and public trust by incorporating two-way conversations with citizens. This approach, particularly among people of color and low-income households, can lead to increased attendance at meetings and a more inclusive representation of constituents.
Individuals from long-lived families demonstrate improved baseline cognitive performance compared to their spouses. The study also found a slower rate of cognitive decline in younger generations within these families, particularly on the symbol coding test.
A novel COVID-19 test has been created by pairing mass spectrometry with machine learning, achieving high accuracy rates of 98.3% for positives and 96% for negatives. The test uses a mass spectrometer to analyze nasal swabs in minutes, providing rapid results.
A BMJ investigation found that many UK universities are not collecting data on student testing and positivity rates. Experts describe campus testing as haphazard, with a high cost per positive result, likely underestimated due to staffing costs.
Two reopened k-12 schools in the US demonstrated low in-school transmission rates with universal testing and mitigation measures, such as mask-wearing and ventilation. The study suggests that testing allows for early detection of potential outbreaks and can help prevent big school closures.
Researchers found an indirect link between cardiorespiratory fitness and higher marks in mathematics and French 2. Better executive functions, specifically cognitive flexibility, were also associated with improved academic performance. The study emphasizes the importance of physical education classes in schools.
A recent study by Bocconi University finds that schools with lower academic performance, higher rates of homelessness, and more students from racial/ethnic minorities were more likely to be closed or mostly closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rockefeller Foundation grant supports the expansion of COVID-19 saliva-based testing in Illinois schools, focusing on underserved communities. The program aims to keep students, staff, and families safe while minimizing costs through simplified test collection.
A pilot study found COVID-19 transmission is rare in schools with proper precautions such as masking, distancing and frequent hand-washing. Only two people received positive test results indicating probable school-based SARS-CoV-2 secondary transmission.
A Concordia University study found that people who enjoy reading fiction for leisure score higher on language tests than those who read to access specific information. The researchers suggest emphasizing the fun aspect of reading can draw young adults back to novels and boost their verbal abilities.
A study found that headteachers prioritize SAT scores over children's self-esteem and confidence, leading to divisions among students. The research suggests that these practices contribute to a 'culture of division' in primary schools.
Researchers developed a diagnostic test to assess numeracy skills in first graders, which also measures listening comprehension and executive functions. The study found that a 15-week 'maths boost' program significantly improved numerical relational skills in children who received extra practice.
A study analyzing parents' reviews on GreatSchools.org found that reviews correlated with test scores and demographics, not school effectiveness. Reviews from affluent neighborhoods provided more information about test scores, while language associated with school effectiveness was less used.
A study found that aptitude tests can help students identify potential careers in high-demand STEM fields, especially for women and underrepresented groups. The tools helped connect students with classes and educational pathways to strengthen their skillset and open up career opportunities.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University are developing robots that can measure essential healthcare information, such as physiological signals and oxygen levels. The robots aim to support remote healthcare tasks and may potentially interact with patients, process data, and prescribe medication in the future.
Research at the University of Cambridge found that teaching children to empathise with others significantly improves their creative abilities. The study used a set of engineering design thinking tools to foster empathy in pupils aged 13-14. As a result, creativity scores increased by up to 78% among those who received the intervention.
Experts argue that UK government's mass testing strategy in schools risks spreading COVID-19, particularly if pupils test negative and return to class. The 'serial-testing' approach is criticized for its reliance on inaccurate INNOVA rapid lateral flow tests, which may not rule out COVID-19 in symptomless individuals.
Experts warn that the Innova lateral flow test lacks supporting evidence and may cause serious harm. The government's plan to widen its use risks misleading the public about test accuracy and implications. Experts call for pause in rollout and clearer messaging on risks until better data is available.
A pilot study has created a comprehensive behavioral dataset to investigate individual differences in language skills. The dataset includes 112 participants who completed a battery of 33 tests, measuring linguistic experience, cognitive skills, and linguistic processing abilities.
A PSU study found that teacher value-added scores change with students' test score gains and schools' socioeconomic status. This challenges the idea that a teacher's score should remain constant regardless of their school or student population.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign implemented a campus-wide COVID-19 screening program called Shield, which processes over 10,000 saliva tests each day. The program's success led to the creation of a statewide Shield-Illinois and has inspired governments to establish similar programs.
A new study found that individuals with higher levels of positive affect had less steep memory decline over a nearly decade-long period. Positive emotions are associated with healthier aging, contradicting the notion that memories fade with age.
A new study by Lancaster University found that Welsh-medium school pupils consistently score lower than their English-speaking counterparts in standardised tests. Despite attending schools with wealthier families and having more access to resources at home, these pupils still fail to match the academic performance of their peers.
Researchers from HSE University developed seven phonological tests to assess children's reading skills. The study found that more complex tests predicted reading fluency and identified phonological deficits, suggesting their use in diagnosing and addressing reading problems like dyslexia.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin created a new tool to help Facebook users discern real from fake news. The study found that combining two simple interventions, including a stop sign icon and a strong statement, had a significant effect on helping people think critically. The researchers suggest that Facebook can improv...
The American Academy of Pediatrics and Stanford experts recommend a three-pronged testing approach, including symptomatic testing, pooled testing, and frequent testing in high-risk households. Schools should also implement strict COVID-19 prevention measures, such as enhanced disinfection, hand sanitizers, and protective equipment.
Two studies published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal highlight the importance of test-trace-isolate strategies for schools to safely reopen. Modelling the impact of UK schools reopening in September suggests that a second wave of COVID-19 can be avoided with high coverage of testing and contact tracing, while data from...
Children with low cardiorespiratory fitness are at risk for premature heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Improving CRF through regular physical activity, such as sports or high-intensity interval training, can lead to better academic achievement, mental health, and overall health.
Researchers argue that international tests like PISA have forced schools to adopt narrow curricula and pedagogies, leading to a lack of scientific literacy. The study calls for a shift towards more inclusive and engaging science education, with a focus on the environment and health.
Researchers at University of California San Diego develop a LEGO-based test to assess spatial visualization skills in elementary school students, with results showing a statistically significant correlation with Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations outcomes.
Researchers from the University of Warwick and the University of Waikato found no evidence that Sans Forgetica boosts memory. Four experiments involving over 882 people showed that the font promotes a feeling of disfluency but does not improve learning, contradicting previous claims.
A study led by University of Cambridge researchers found that children from poorest families consistently perform worse in basic literacy and numeracy tests than those from more affluent backgrounds. The study suggests that poorer students are disproportionately clustered in low-quality schools, often lacking basic resources.
Research by University of Delaware reveals that hiring and retaining effective principals and teachers leads to significant gains in student achievement. Effective teacher retention strategies, such as financial incentives, were found to be persistently effective in reform efforts.
A new study published in Heart Rhythm found that incorporating electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings into college athletes' pre-participation physical exams can detect cardiac conditions six times more effectively than physical exams alone. The study also showed improved cost efficiency per diagnosis, reducing costs by five-fold.
A new study by NC State University found that earlier high school start times are associated with higher rates of tardiness and absenteeism. Researchers analyzed data from five schools that moved their start times from 8:05 a.m. to 7:25 a.m., finding a significant increase in absences and tardiness.
A new study found that a cancer education intervention improved cancer literacy in middle and high school students in Kentucky by 30%. The study's results highlight the importance of providing cancer education material to vulnerable populations like young students, who are at risk for developing unhealthy behaviors.
Researchers designed an AI model that predicts student learning in educational games, improving instruction and outcomes. The multi-task learning framework considers each question individually, enabling more accurate predictions than conventional methods.
Researchers found that smelling roses before and after bedtime can improve English vocabulary learning by 30%. The study suggests a practical application of fragrances to enhance learning during sleep.
A new study suggests that standardizing lab test turnaround times could improve patient care by reducing unnecessary STAT orders and increasing efficiency through automation. By cutting usual STAT time in half for most tests, facilities can reduce demand and provide faster results for critical tests.
A University of Seville study found that over 17% of classrooms in Andalusia exceed WHO-recommended CO2 levels, with 42% showing concentrations above 2000 ppm. The research highlights the need for controlled mechanical ventilation systems to improve air quality and student health.
Researchers found that linguistic similarity between the learner's first language and Dutch accounted for 50% of explained variance in learners' proficiency. This suggests that language instruction tailored to a learner's first language can be more effective, corroborating an important insight from research on teaching adults
A new video game framework brings together two well-studied approaches to educational software, integrating narrative-centered learning and collaborative learning techniques. In proof-of-concept testing, the framework fostered both learning and effective collaboration in sixth graders, showing promise for future efforts in the field.
A large-scale study of over 11,000 West Point cadets reveals that both cognitive and non-cognitive factors predict success outcomes. Grit is crucial during Beast Barracks, while cognitive ability is the strongest predictor of academic grades in the classroom. Physical ability also plays a key role in determining graduation rates.