Detecting Strengths and Weaknesses in Mathematics Performance Using Mixture IRT (Item Response Theory) Models

• In Event: Roundtable Session 117
  In Roundtable Session: Discussions in Item Response Theory

Abstract

National assessments primarily serve a summative purpose, but policymakers and educational practitioners also expect to be able to draw more formative conclusions from these assessments. It is intended to illustrate, using data from a 2009 national assessment on mathematics conducted in Flanders, how mixture IRT models can be a welcome addition to the more traditional way of reporting on national assessments. The presence of subgroups that is educationally relevant can be revealed. The current paper wants to illustrate that the application of this kind of models can have great educational value to find out where specific difficulties in acquiring a domain can be found and supplement what is traditionally learned from national assessments.

Authors

• Daniel Van Nijlen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

• Rianne C. Janssen, K.U. Leuven