Assessing Mathematical School Readiness
Résumé
Early math skills matter for later formal mathematical performances, academic and
professional success. Accordingly, it is important to accurately assess mathematical
school readiness (MSR) at the beginning of elementary school. This would help
identifying children who are at risk of encountering difficulties in math and then stimulate
their acquisition of mathematical skills as soon as possible. In the present study, we
present a new test that allows professionals working with children (e.g., teachers,
school psychologists, speech therapists, and school doctors) to assess children’s
MSR when they enter formal schooling in a simple, rapid and efficient manner. 346
children were assessed at the beginning of 1st Grade (6-to-7-year-olds) with a collective
test assessing early mathematical abilities (T1). In addition, children’s math skills were
evaluated with classical curriculum math tests at T1 and a year later, in 2nd Grade
(T2, 7-to-8-year-olds). After assessing internal consistency, three tasks were retained
for the final version of the MSR test. Test performance confirmed to be essentially
unidimensional and systematically related to the scores children obtained in classical
tests in 1st and 2nd Grade. By using the present MSR test, it is possible to identify
pupils at risk of developing low math skills right from the start of formal schooling in 1st
Grade. Such a tool is needed, as children’s level in math at school beginning (or school
readiness) is known to be foundational for their future academic and professional carrier.
Domaines
Sciences cognitivesOrigine | Fichiers éditeurs autorisés sur une archive ouverte |
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