You are here

FAU Collections » FAU Research Repository » FAU Theses and Dissertations

effect of audiocassette presentation on the performance of students with and without learning disabilities on a group standardized math test

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2005
Summary:
Many students with specific learning disabilities (LD) exhibit reading difficulties that interfere with their performance on "high-stakes" standardized tests with math word problems. Therefore, it is important to identify accommodations that will lead to valid test scores. Audio presentation for math word problems is intended to remove the effects of a disability in reading. One purpose of the study was to conduct an empirical investigation of the effects of audiocassette presentation by comparing the performance of students with LD and students from general education (GE). Another was to investigate the relationship, if any, between the level of knowledge of mathematics vocabulary and the benefit of audiocassette presentation for the students with LD. Finally, the study sought to extend the current research base to students in middle school. Twenty-four students with LD and 24 from GE were tested with parallel forms of the Math section of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Half of each group tested with form K under standard administration and received audiocassette presentation for form L. The other half of each group was tested with form L under standard administration and audiocassette presentation for form K. Finally, the Vocabulary subtest from the Test of Mathematical Abilities, 2nd edition (TOMA-2) was administered. Separate paired t tests were performed for the GE group and for the group with LD. The performance of the two groups was then compared with repeated measures analyses. No statistically significant differences were found, which was attributed, in part, to small sample size. Minimal change in the mean performance of either group occurred after audiocassette presentation for Math Concepts. The group mean for LD on Problem Solving improved slightly with the accommodation. Repeated measures analyses showed no significant difference in performance between students with "high" vs. "low" levels of math vocabulary. A floor effect, along with the students' level of academic language proficiency, may have affected the results. Some students improved their scores with audio presentation, but others scored lower. This reinforces the need to base the use of any test accommodation on individual need, not disability label or other factors.
Title: The effect of audiocassette presentation on the performance of students with and without learning disabilities on a group standardized math test.
108 views
26 downloads
Name(s): Schnirman, Rebecca K.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Taylor, Ronald L., Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2005
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 248 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Many students with specific learning disabilities (LD) exhibit reading difficulties that interfere with their performance on "high-stakes" standardized tests with math word problems. Therefore, it is important to identify accommodations that will lead to valid test scores. Audio presentation for math word problems is intended to remove the effects of a disability in reading. One purpose of the study was to conduct an empirical investigation of the effects of audiocassette presentation by comparing the performance of students with LD and students from general education (GE). Another was to investigate the relationship, if any, between the level of knowledge of mathematics vocabulary and the benefit of audiocassette presentation for the students with LD. Finally, the study sought to extend the current research base to students in middle school. Twenty-four students with LD and 24 from GE were tested with parallel forms of the Math section of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Half of each group tested with form K under standard administration and received audiocassette presentation for form L. The other half of each group was tested with form L under standard administration and audiocassette presentation for form K. Finally, the Vocabulary subtest from the Test of Mathematical Abilities, 2nd edition (TOMA-2) was administered. Separate paired t tests were performed for the GE group and for the group with LD. The performance of the two groups was then compared with repeated measures analyses. No statistically significant differences were found, which was attributed, in part, to small sample size. Minimal change in the mean performance of either group occurred after audiocassette presentation for Math Concepts. The group mean for LD on Problem Solving improved slightly with the accommodation. Repeated measures analyses showed no significant difference in performance between students with "high" vs. "low" levels of math vocabulary. A floor effect, along with the students' level of academic language proficiency, may have affected the results. Some students improved their scores with audio presentation, but others scored lower. This reinforces the need to base the use of any test accommodation on individual need, not disability label or other factors.
Identifier: 9780542202575 (isbn), 12166 (digitool), FADT12166 (IID), fau:9073 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2005.
College of Education
Subject(s): Educational tests and measurements
Learning disabled children--Ability testing
Academic achievement--Testing--Validity--United States
Children with disabilities--Education--Ability testing
Academic achievement
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12166
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.