Range of Meanings: A Sequential Mixed Methods Study of How English Language Learners Encounter Assessment Items on Descriptive Statistics

Autor: Angelica Monárrez, Lorena Galvan, Amy E. Wagler, Lawrence M. Lesser
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Statistics Education, Vol 26, Iss 3, Pp 162-173 (2018)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1069-1898
10691898
DOI: 10.1080/10691898.2018.1511388
Popis: English language learners are a growing demographic in secondary, two-year, four-year and research institutions where many students encounter their first course in statistics. In the statistics education literature, recent calls have been made to improve statistical education for underserved student populations, including English Language Learners (ELLs). Some have investigated how ELLs interpret instructional material and classroom practices in the statistics classroom. This study uses a sequential mixed methods approach to investigate how Spanish-speaking ELLs may respond differently to assessment items about measures of center and variation. Comprehensive analyses of this type are essential in order to identify bias and ensure fair comparisons across participant populations. Findings indicate that ELLs do not comprehend context or understand some statistical terms in the same way as non-ELLs. Study limitations, implications, and recommendations are discussed.
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