Path analysis was used to test the predictive and mediational role of self-efficacy beliefs in mathematical problem solving. Results revealed that math self-efficacy was more predictive of problem solving than was math self-concept, perceived usefulness of mathematics, prior experience with mathematics, or gender (N = 350). Self-efficacy also mediated the effect of gender and prior experience on self-concept, perceived usefulness, and problem solving. Gender and prior experience influenced self-concept, perceived usefulness, and problem solving largely through the mediational role of self-efficacy. Men had higher performance, self-efficacy, and self-concept and lower anxiety, but these differences were due largely to the influence of self-efficacy, for gender had a direct effect only on self-efficacy and a prior experience variable. Results support the hypothesized role of self-efficacy in A. Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory. Social cognitive theory suggests that self-efficacy, "people's judgments of their capabilities to organize and execute courses of action required to attain designated types of performances" (Bandura, 1986, p. 391), strongly influences the choices people make, the effort they expend, and how long they persevere in the face of challenge. According to Bandura (1986), how people behave can often be better predicted by their beliefs about their capabilities than by what they are actually capable of accomplishing , for these beliefs help determine what individuals do with the knowledge and skills they have. Although researchers have established that self-efficacy is a strong predictor of behavior (Maddux, Norton, & Stoltenberg, 1986), research on the relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance in areas such as mathematics is still limited (Bouffard-Bouchard, 1989). Studies of math self-efficacy have been largely correlational, and researchers have emphasized the need to construct causal models with which to conceptualize and test hypothesized relationships (Hackett & Betz, 1989; Meece, Wigfield, & Eccles, 1990). When causal modeling has been used, most models have excluded key variables identified as influencing math performance (most notably, self-concept), or the theoretical framework used to hypothesize relationships was not based on social cognitive theory. Thus, results have added little to a better understanding of self-efficacy's influence. Bandura (1986) hypothesized that self-efficacy beliefs mediate the effect of other determinants of performance such as gender and prior experience on subsequent perfor

Role of self-efficacy and self-concept beliefs in mathematical problem solving: A path analysis.

Ninety-four children (aged 9-13 years) with anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to cognitive behavioral treatment or waiting-list control. Outcomes were evaluated using diagnostic status, child self-reports, parent and teacher reports, cognitive assessment and behavioral observation: maintenance was examined using 1-year follow-up data. Analyses of dependent measures indicated significant improvements over time, with the majority indicating greater gains for those receiving treatment. Treatment gains returned cases to within nondeviant limits (i.e., normative comparisons) and were maintained at 1-year follow-up. Client age and comorbid status did not moderate outcomes. A preliminary examination of treatment segments suggested that the enactive exposure (when it follows cognitive-educational training) was an active force in beneficial change. Discussion includes suggestions for future research.

Therapy for youths with anxiety disorders: a second randomized clinical trial.

The intent of this chapter is to enhance understanding of various dietary assessment methods so that the most appropriate method for a particular need is chosen. This review focuses only on individual level food intake assessment. It is intended to serve as a resource for those who wish to assess diet in a research study using individual measurements for group level analysis. The chapter reviews major dietary assessment methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and validity; describes which dietary assessment methods are appropriate for different types of studies and populations; and discusses specific issues that relate to all methods.

Dietary Assessment Methodology

In this meta-analysis I examined 26 studies on the relationship between anxiety toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics among elementary and secondary students. The common population correlation for the relationship is significant (-.27). A series of general linear models indicated that the relationship is consistent across gender groups, grade-level groups, ethnic groups, instruments measuring anxiety, and years of publication. The relationship, however, differs significantly among instruments measuring achievement as well as among types of publication. Researchers using standardized achievement tests tend to report a relationship of significantly smaller magnitude than researchers using mathematics teachers' grades and researcher-made achievement tests. Published studies tend to indicate a significantly smaller magnitude of the relationship than unpublished studies. There are no significant interaction effects among key variables such as gender, grade, and ethnicity.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between anxiety toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics

This paper explores the scientific evidence that has been gathered on the contributions and benefits of physical education and sport (PES) in schools for both children and for educational systems. Research evidence is presented in terms of children's development in a number of domains: physical, lifestyle, affective, social, and cognitive. The review suggests that PES have the potential to make significant and distinctive contributions to development in each of these domains. It is suggested that PES have the potential to make distinctive contributions to the development of children's fundamental movement skills and physical competences, which are necessary precursors of participation in later lifestyle and sporting physical activities. They also, when appropriately presented, can support the development of social skills and social behaviors, self-esteem and proschool attitudes, and, in certain circumstances, academic and cognitive development. The review also stresses that many of these benefits will not necessarily result from participation, per se; the effects are likely to be mediated by the nature of the interactions between students and their teachers, parents, and coaches who work with them. Contexts that emphasize positive experiences, characterized by enjoyment, diversity, and the engagement of all, and that are managed by committed and trained teachers and coaches, and supportive and informed parents, significantly influence the character of these physical activities and increase the likelihood of realizing the potential benefits of participation.

Physical education and sport in schools: a review of benefits and outcomes.

Fears in children and adolescents: reliability and generalizability across gender, age and nationality.

(1999). Hodgepodge Grading: Endorsed by Students and Teachers Alike. Applied Measurement in Education: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 53-72.

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Hodgepodge Grading: Endorsed by Students and Teachers Alike.

What are secondary school teachers' views on testing and grading practices? What clusters of opinions can be categorized as ‘flexible,”“opposed to difficult testing,” or “hard-nosed?” How should the use of test results for grading be treated in teacher in-service training programs?

Testing and Grading Practices and Opinions of Secondary Teachers of Academic Subjects: Implications for Instruction in Measurement

Formula scoring is a procedure designed to reduce multiple-choice test score irregularities due to guessing. Typically, a formula score is obtained by subtracting a proportion of the number of wrong responses from the number correct. Examinees are instructed to omit items when their answers would be sheer guesses among all choices but otherwise to guess when unsure of an answer. Thus, formula scoring is not intended to discourage guessing when an examinee can rule out one or more of the options within a multiple-choice item. Examinees who, contrary to the instructions, do guess blindly among all choices are not penalized by formula scoring on the average; depending on luck, they may obtain better or worse scores than if they had refrained from this guessing. In contrast, examinees with partial information who refrain from answering tend to obtain lower formula scores than if they had guessed among the remaining choices. (Examinees with misinformation may be exceptions.) Formula scoring is viewed as inappropriate for most classroom testing but may be desirable for speeded tests and for difficult tests with low passing scores. Formula scores do not approximate scores from comparable fill-in-the-blank tests, nor can formula scoring preclude unrealistically high scores for examinees who are very lucky.

Formula Scoring of Multiple-Choice Tests (Correction for Guessing)

Minimum standards were established for the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) area examinations in mathematics and in elementary education by independent panels of teacher educators who had been instructed in the use of either the Angoff, Nedelsky, or Jaeger procedures. Of these three procedures, only the Jaeger method requires that normative data be provided to the judges when evaluating the items. However, it was of interest to study the effect such information would have upon the standards obtained using the other two methods. Therefore, the design incorporated three sequential review sessions with the level of normative information different for each. A three-factor ANOVA revealed significant main effects for methods and sessions but not for subject area. None of the interactions was significant. The anticipated failure rates, the psychometric characteristics of the ratings, and other factors suggest that the Angoff procedure, as modified during the second session of this study, yields the most defensible standards for the NTE area examinations.

Robert B. Frary

Papers

Fears in children and adolescents: reliability and generalizability across gender, age and nationality.

Hodgepodge Grading: Endorsed by Students and Teachers Alike.

Testing and Grading Practices and Opinions of Secondary Teachers of Academic Subjects: Implications for Instruction in Measurement

Formula Scoring of Multiple-Choice Tests (Correction for Guessing)

A comparison of three methods for establishing minimum standards on the national teacher examinations