Measuring Preparedness for Teaching Math: An Application of Rasch Analysis

• In Event: 32.080 - Measurement and Validity Issues in Survey Research

Abstract

Understanding teacher candidates’ preparedness is important for the continuous improvement of teacher education programs. This study demonstrates the use of Rasch Rating Scale Model by examining the psychometric properties of a math beliefs subscale in preparedness for teaching math. The 13-item subscale was administered to 361 pre-service secondary math teachers from Taiwan. Unidimensionality was supported and the internal consistency was decent. The result indicated little disordering of thresholds. The items did not target the majority of the respondents who were high scorers. One misfit item and two gender DIF items with small magnitudes were found. Findings suggest the revisions of the scale in order to increase its reliability and validity for future use.

Author

• Liuhan Sophie Cai, University of Nebraska - Lincoln