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Measurements of performance gaps are sensitive to the level of test stakes: Evidence from PISA and a Field Experiment

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  • Ofek-Shanny, Yuval

Abstract

Educational performance gaps are a long-lasting issue of concern in many countries. Many times, these gaps are measured using low-stakes tests that are especially sensitive to motivation and test engagement. I conduct a field experiment in 7 Israeli Jewish and Arab middle schools and use data from PISA 2015 to investigate whether part of the performance gaps between ethnic minority and majority groups could be attributed to test engagement rather than proficiency. I find that test engagement can account for more than 50% of the performance gaps measured in low-stakes assessments. Test engagement is also important, as it correlates with several personality traits important to life outcomes. Therefore, considering the importance of both test engagement, which influences low-stakes assessments, and proficiency, which is more accurately discerned in high-stakes assessments, policymakers should make deliberate decisions regarding the stakes assigned to assessment tests, taking into account the specific evaluation criteria that they aim to emphasize.

Suggested Citation

  • Ofek-Shanny, Yuval, 2024. "Measurements of performance gaps are sensitive to the level of test stakes: Evidence from PISA and a Field Experiment," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:98:y:2024:i:c:s0272775723001371
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2023.102490
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Minorities; Performance gaps; Test-taking engagement; Assessment tests; PISA; Field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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