ERIC_NO:
ED337467
TITLE:
Differential Test and Item Performance of Talented Youth and High School Seniors on the ACT.
AUTHOR:
Doolittle, Allen E.; Welch, Catherine J.
PUBLICATION_DATE:
1990
ABSTRACT:
The performance of 2,000 academically talented seventh-grade students on the American College Testing Program (ACT) Assessment was investigated
in comparison with 2,000 college-bound 12th-grade examinees. Data from
the February 1988 and February 1989 administrations of the ACT were used.
Differential test performance and item performance were examined based
on one form of the ACT, and the results were cross-validated on a different
form. Although the 12th-graders outperformed the seventh-graders on all
tests, the differences were greatest on the mathematics and social studies
reading tests. In addition, systematic performance differences between
the two groups of students were found at the item level. The nature and
implications of these differences are discussed. Four tables present study
data. Three figures illustrate six types of test items. A 7-item list
of references is included. (Author/SLD)
MAJOR_DESCRIPTORS:
College Entrance Examinations; High School Seniors; Item Bias; Performance; Test Items;
MINOR DESCRIPTORS:
Academic Achievement; Academically Gifted; College Bound Students; Comparative Testing; Grade 12; Grade 7; High Schools; Junior High School Students; Junior High Schools; Talent; Test Results;
IDENTIFIERS:
*American College Testing Program; Cross Validation
PUBLICATION_TYPE:
022