Student Variables and the Engagement Balance in Western Australian Secondary School Classroom Learning Environments

• In Event: 46.087 - Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: 46.087-4 - A Collection of Posters Exploring Learning Environments

Abstract

The Capabilities-Expectations Model of Student Engagement in Classroom Learning portrays engagement as a balance between what students can do (capabilities), and what they are expected to do (expectations). The balance for individual students was ascertained using Rasch Model common-person test equating. Measures of capabilities and expectations were obtained by administration of the Student Engagement in Classroom Learning Survey to1760 Western Australian secondary students. T-tests identified students with equivalent measures (95% confidence interval). The number of students meeting this criterion was estimated for different student populations (e.g., Grade Eight, Grade Nine). The results reveal differing rates of engagement between some of the populations. For example the proportion of engaged students was higher in Eighth Grade than in Ninth Grade.

Authors

• Robert Frederick Cavanagh, Curtin University

• David J. Shernoff, Rutgers University