A Cross-Sectional Investigation Into Illinois Students' Attitudes Toward Science Using Multilevel Modeling

• In Event: Roundtable Session 51
  In Roundtable Session: Students' Attitudes Toward and Socioemotional Experiences With Science and Science Education

Abstract

This study focused on identifying and assessing factors that impact precollege Illinois students’ attitudes toward science. Limitations associated with longitudinal designs made this approach attractive for obtaining a nuanced view of the variables that impact students’ attitudes. By employing a cross-sectional design, this study assessed a statewide sample of students’ attitudes toward science in grades 5–12. Analysis of 1,442 responses to the US-ASSASS revealed that, on average, students' attitudes toward science decreased by 0.35 points on a five point scale between grades 5 and 10. All five factors from the student instrument were investigated, along with teacher and participant school data, using multivariate multi-level modeling. The findings highlight the importance of individual factors in shaping student attitudes.

Authors

• Ryan Glenn Summers, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Fouad S. Abd-El-Khalick, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign