CNMCS WTHN SCL STUDS: CMPRTV NLYSS F STUDNT PRFRMNC N TH 2012 KNSS HSTRY-GVRNMNTSSSSMNTPhD Dgrn

cnmcs

[Nm f Studnt]

[Nm f nsttut]

[Dt]BSTRCTTh purps f ths study ws t xmn th vrll lvl f studnt chvmnt n th2012 Knss Hstry - Gvrnmnt ssssmnt n Grds 6, 8, nd hgh schl, wth mjr mphss n th subjct r f cnmcs. t xplrd fur spcfc rsrch qustns n rdr t: (1) dtrmn th lvl f studnt knwldg f ssssd cnmc ndctrs nd cncpts; (2) nvstgt hw studnt dmgrphcs rlt t cnmc undrstndng; (3) cmpr tst rsults n cnmcs wth ths n thr scl studs sub-dscplns; nd (4) nlyz th tst qustns frm th nn-cnmcs subjct-rs f scl studs nd cmpr studnt prfrmnc n th tms tht rqurd cnmcs knwldg t b nswrd crrctly wth ths tht dd nt rqur t, wthn nn-cnmcs sub-dscplns nd crss th ntr tst n cmprsn t th dsgntd cnmcs tms.Ths study nlyzd th tst rsults f th whl ppultn f Knss studnts wth n spcl ductn nds n th ssssd grds, wh prtcptd n th Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt. Th nlyss ddrssng th rsrch qustns ncludd multpl rgrssn nlyss, tsts f mn dffrnc, tm nlyss, nd dscrptv sttstcs.Th nlyss f th utcms rvld tht vrg cnmcs scrs chvd by studnts n sxth nd ghth grds, rngng frm 66 t 70 prcnt, wr hghr thn ths chvd t th hgh schl lvl, wth scrs n th Wrld Fcus nd U.S. Fcus tsts bng 43 nd 58 prcnt, rspctvly. Hgh schl studnts dmnstrtd lw chvmnt lvl n th Wrld Fcus tst, wth but hlf f thm prfrmng t lss thn r qul t 50 prcnt. Tnth- grdrs prfrmd sgnfcntly wrs thn twlfth-grdrs n th U.S.-rltd cnmcs qustns.

Thrugh th dtld nlyss f th tst tms, th spcfc cnmc cncpts wr dntfd, nd thr dffculty lvls wr msurd by cmprng studnt prfrmnc n th cnmc cncpt rs wth th mn tst dffcults. Bttr prfrmnc ws ndctd n th mcrcnmc cncpt rs f supply nd dmnd nd n th fundmntl cncpt rs f pprtunty csts, dcsn-mkng, nd ncntvs. Studnts hd grtr dffculty wth th fundmntl cncpt rs f scrcty, cnsquncs, nd chc, nd wth th cncpts frm th ntrntnl cnmcs ctgry, s wll s wth th cnmcs tst qustns prsntd n n hstrcl cntxt.Studnts n th sxth nd ghth grds dmnstrtd hghr scrs n th cnmcs nd ggrphy subtsts nd lwr scrs n th hstry nd cvcs subtsts. n hgh schl, cnvrsly, cnmcs scrs wr th lwst f th sub-dscplns.Th nlyss ls rvld th xstnc f gndr, rcl/thnc, nd sc-cnmc sttus chvmnt gps. Ml studnts utprfrmd fml studnts; hghr SS studnts prfrmd bttr thn ths wth lwr SS; nd Wht studnts dmnstrtd hghr scrs thn Blck nd Hspnc studnts crss scl studs sub-dscplns nd ssssd grd lvls.sn studnts prfrmd smlr t Wht studnts, xcpt fr th hgh schl U.S. Fcus tst.nlyss f tst tms n th nn-cnmcs scl studs strnds rvld brd lst f cnmc cncpts rqurd fr undrstndng hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd ggrphy tms. Knss studnts tndd t prfrm bttr n th scl studs tms tht dd nt rqur cnmc undrstndng. Thy gnrlly prfrmd bttr n th dsgntd cnmcs tms thn n th grup f nn-dsgntd cnmcs tms frm thr sub-dscplns.Ths study prvds nsght nt th rs f cnmcs tchng tht rqur furthr mphss n nstructn.

TBL F CNTNTS BSTRCT... TBL F CNTNTS..v LST F TBLS..x CHPTR. NTRDUCTN ..1. RVW F RLTD LTRTUR ..8cnmc ductn....9Why cnmc ductn? .9Currnt Sttus f cnmc ductn nd Rfrm Mvmnts..12cnmcs n thr Scl Studs Sub-dscplns .18Rsrch n cnmc ductn..20Studnt pttuds ..21Tchr Prprtn n cnmcs22Curs Typ...24Rsrch n th mpct f Studnt Lvl Dmgrphc Chrctrstcsn cnmc Lrnng...26Studnt SS ..26Studnt Rc/thncty..28Studnt Gndr...29ntrctns mng Dmgrphc Chrctrstcs.33Studnt Cncpt Undrstndng35ssssmnt s Prt f n ccuntblty Systm......39Stt ssssmnt f cnmc Knwldg n Knss..39. MTHDLGY47Ppultn .48Dt48Thrtcl Frmwrk..50Rsrch Dsgn.53Dt nlyss.....53Rsrch Qustn n..53Rsrch Qustn Tw ....54Rsrch Qustn Thr...54Rsrch Qustn Fur.55V. DT NLYSS ND FNDNGS..58Rsrch Qustn n..62Prt . Studnt Prfrmnc n cnmcs ..62Grd 6...........62Grd 8...65Hgh Schl...67Prt B. Th Lvl f Undrstndng f th Spcfc cnmcCncpts...71Grd 6...73Grd 8...76Hgh Schl...78Rsrch Qustn Tw.81Prt . Studnt Prfrmnc n th vrll Scl Studs Tst nd nSub-dscpln Subtsts .81Prt B. Studnt Prfrmnc n th vrll Scl Studs Tst nd nSub-dscplns Sprtd by Gndr, Rc/thncty, nd SS84Grd 6...84Grd 8...86Hgh Schl...87Rsrch Qustn Thr...90Mn ffcts ..94ntrctn Trms...98Rsrch Qustn Fur.......102Prt . Studnt Prfrmnc n Qustns n Hstry, Cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd Ggrphy Subtsts tht Rqur cnmc Knwldg s Cmprd t th Nn-cnmcs tms107Grd 6.108Grd 8.109Hgh Schl.111

Prt B. Studnt Cmprtv Prfrmnc n thr Scl Studs tms Rqurng cnmc Knwldg s Cmprd t th cnmcs Subtst.114Grd 6....114Grd 8115Hgh Schl.115V. CNCLUSN ND DSCUSSN.119Summry nd ntrprttn119Lmttns...124mplctns f th Study.125Cnclusns..128RFRNCS....130PPNDCS.155ppndx : Crnbchs lph Cffcnts .155ppndx B: Scr Dstrbutn Hstgrms by Grd Lvl nd Tst St156ppndx C: ssssd cnmcs ndctrs nd cnmc Cncpts..159ppndx D: Mn Scrs (%) by Rc/thncty, Gndr, nd SS.162

LST F TBLSTBL PG1 Smpl Dscrptv Sttstcs by Grd Lvl.....602 Grd 6: Mns, Mds, Mdns, Stndrd Dvtns, nd Skwnss fr cnmcsSub-tst (Prcnt Crrct)....623 Grd 6: Frquncy Dstrbutn f cnmcs Scrs (Prcnt-Crrct)..634 Grd 8: Mns, Mds, Mdns, nd Stndrd Dvtns fr cnmcs sub-tst(Prcnt Crrct)..655 Grd 8: Frquncy Dstrbutn f cnmcs Scrs (Prcnt-Crrct)..666 Hgh Schl: Mns, Mds, Mdns, nd Stndrd Dvtns fr cnmcssub-tst (Prcnt Crrct)697 Hgh Schl: Mns, Mds, Mdns, nd Stndrd Dvtns fr th cnmcs Tst(Prcnt Crrct), by Tst Typ nd Grd Lvl..718 Hgh Schl: Frquncy Dstrbutn f cnmcs Scrs, by Grd Lvl ndTst Prt...719 Grd 6: ssssd cnmc Cncpts, Mn Cncpt Dffculty, Mn TstDffculty.....................7410 Grd 8: ssssd cnmc Cncpts, Mn Cncpt Dffculty, Mn TstDffculty......................7611 Hgh Schl Wrld Fcus: ssssd cnmc Cncpts, Mn Cncpt Dffculty,Mn Tst Dffculty............................................7812 Hgh Schl U.S. Fcus: ssssd cnmc Cncpts, Mn Cncpt Dffculty,Mn Tst Dffculty....................................8013 Dscrptv Sttstcs fr Scl Studs rs by Grd Lvl nd Tst Frm.................8214 Grd 6: Sub-dscpln nd Ttl Scl Studs Mn Scrs Sprtd by Gndr,Rc/thncty, nd SS...8515 Grd 8: Sub-dscpln nd Ttl Scl Studs Mn Scrs Sprtd by Gndr,Rc/thncty, nd SS...8616 Hgh Schl: Sub-dscpln nd Ttl Scl Studs Mn Scrs Sprtdby Gndr, Rc/thncty, nd SS...8817 Rgrssn Mdl Summrs by Tst St.9318 Mn ffcts Sttstcs fr Gndr, Rc/thncty, nd SS by Grds.......9519 Sttstcs Summry fr Sgnfcnt ntrctn...9920 B-wghts nd Cffcnts fr Sgnfcnt ntrctn ffcts .10021 Mn Scrs nd Dffrncs n Mns fr SS x Rc/thncty ntrctns...10122 Numbr f tms Wth nd Wthut cnmcs n Nn-cnmcs Subtsts tms.10323 Grd 6: Rsults f t-Tsts nd Dscrptv Sttstcs, by Sub-dscpln.10724 Grd 8: Rsults f t-Tsts nd Dscrptv Sttstcs, by Sub-dscpln.10825 Wrld Fcus: Mns nd Stndrd Dvtns fr Tw Qustns, Wth nd Wthutcnmcs, by Sub-dscpln nd Grd Lvl....11026 U.S. Fcus: Mns nd Stndrd Dvtns fr Tw Qustns, Wth nd Wthutcnmcs, by Sub-dscpln nd Grd Lvl....11127 Rsults f t-Tsts nd Dscrptv Sttstcs fr Tw-grup Cmprsn....11428 Grd 8: Rsults f t-Tsts nd Dscrptv Sttstcs fr Tw-grup Cmprsn.....11529 Hgh Schl: Rsults f t-Tsts nd Dscrptv Sttstcs fr Tw-grup Cmprsn,by Fcus Tst nd Grd Lvl.....116

CHPTR NTRDUCTNcnmcs s scl scnc ffrs usful nlytcl tls nd cntnt knwldg tht mpwr ppl t mk mr rsnd chcs but thr wn lvs nd th wrld rund thm (Mllr, 1988). cnmc ltrcy s gl f cnmc ductn s prtculrly mprtv n dmcrtc scts whr th ctzn lctrt plys n ctv rl n th dcsn-mkng prcss by vtng n prpstns nd cnddts lctn pltfrms (Mllr,1988; Mllr & VnFssn, 2008). Th rcnt (publc) dbts nd survys shw tht th mjrty f th ctzns hv lttl undrstndng f hw ur cnmc nd fnncl systms wrk, wht nd wh cntrbutd t th crtn f cnmc dffcults tht th U.S. hs bn fcng fr yrs, nd hw ths prblms cn b ddrssd (Hrrs ntrctv, 2005; Numnn,2010).Wlstd (1998) cntnds tht n f th rsns fr such lmtd cmprhnsn f th prblms fcd by scty s n ndqut mphss n cnmc nd fnncl ductn n th schl currculum. Snc th fundng f th ntn, th mjr gl f publc ductn hs bn t nurtur rspnsbl ctzns wh wuld b bl t mk nfrmd dcsns n dlng wth cnmc nd scl prblms tht rs n th scty nd prsnl lvs (Mllr, 1988; Mrtnz& Sndr, 2001). Fr ths rsns, cnmc ductrs shr th blf tht tchng cnmc cncpts nd ds t studnts t yung g wll hlp crt mr cmptnt nd cnfdnt wrkrs, cnsumrs, nvstrs, nd ctzns f tmrrw (Bnszk, 1987; C, 2011).Th rl f cnmcs n frmng rsnng nd ffctv ctznshp sklls hs bn mphszd by mny dstngushd cnmsts wh rgud fr th cs f cnmc ltrcy t th pr-cllg lvl (Buml, 1994; Smulsn, 1987; Stglr, 1970; Tbn, 1986). n f th

strng rsns fr th nclusn f cnmcs nstructn t th K-12 lvl s rsrch tht shws tht studnts r bl t lrn ts fundmntls vn t vry yung g (Schug & rmnt,1985; Wlstd, 1992; Schug, 1994; VnFssn, 2003). n ddtn, rly xpsur t cnmcs ds crts buldng blcks fr grspng mr cmplctd cnmc prncpls n ltr grds (VnFssn, 2010). Furthr, snc ppl hv chsn t spk nd vt n cnmcprblms (Stglr, 1970, p.82), thy wuld nd t hv cnmc knwldg t crtclly judg cnmc msnfrmtn (Tbn, 1986). Fnlly, fr th mjrty f hgh schl grduts,tkng hgh schl cnmcs curs s th nly chnc t lrn but ths mprtnt subjct(Buckls, 1991; Wlstd, 2001; Rbrts & McClsky, 2012).Th fct tht mny rsrchrs, cnmsts, nd ductrs mphsz th sgnfcnc f cnmc ductn n th K-12 schls ds nt mn much unlss ths grmnt s supprtd by th stt ductnl ffcls nd schl dstrcts nd s trnsltd nt chngs n currculum (Buckls, Schug, & Wtts, 2001). Knss Stt Dprtmnt f ductn hs rcgnzd th mprtnc f ctznshp ductn nd cnmc ltrcy mng schl chldrn by, frst, ncludng cnmcs s sprt sub-dscpln n th stt scl studs stndrds dcumnts nd, scnd, by dmnstrng sttwd ssssmnts tht cntn cnmcs-rltd qustns.Ths pvtl stps hppnd ftr Knss Stt Brd f ductn ccptd th Qulty Prfrmnc ccrdttn (QP) systm n 1991 s rsult f th ntnl mvmnt twrds th utcm-bsd pprch t ductn, whch fllwd th publctn f Ntn t Rsk (Ntnl Cmmssn n xcllnc n ductn, 1983) (Brn, 1997; Mrtnz & Sndr,2001). Th utcm f QP ws th dvlpmnt nd dptn f currculr stndrds nd crtn f ccuntblty msurs t vlut studnt ttnmnt f ths stndrds. Th frst vrsn f scl studs stndrds ws dvlpd n 1994 (Krdsh, 2007) nd, wth hlpful

fdbck frm dffrnt grups f ductrs nd schlrs, ths stndrds hv undrgn tw mjr rvsns prr t 2012. Th scnd vrsn f th scl studs stndrds tht ncludd cnmcs s sprt strnd, lng wth cvcs/gvrnmnt, hstry, nd ggrphy, ws ssud n 1999. Th 1999 Knss Currculr Stndrds fr Cvcs-Gvrnmnt, cnmcs, Ggrphy, nd Hstry ws n utcm f xtnsv wrk f th wrtng cmmtt ppntd by th Knss Stt Brd f ductn (KSB). Wrk f th cmmtt ncludd nlyss f ntnl sts f stndrds n rspctv dscplns nd nput rcvd frm tchrs nd th publc (KSB, 1999). s th rsult f nthr rvsn, ls bsd n rsrch nd fdbck, th KSB dptd th succdng st f Knss Stndrds fr Hstry nd Gvrnmnt; cnmcs nd Ggrphy n 2004. Stt stndrds prvd gud t lcl schl dstrcts nd tchrs n th scp nd squnc fr th scl studs dscplns, nd, cnsquntly, thy srv s frmwrk fr currculum, ssssmnt, nd tchr prprtn (KSB, 2004).n rdr t dtrmn hw wll studnts mt ths stndrds, stt-wd ssssmnts hv bn gvn prdclly. Stt ssssmnt prvds mprtnt nfrmtn but th xtnt t whch th cncpts ncludd n th ssssd stndrds r bng tught r lrnd (Buckls t l., 2001). ftr n unsuccssful ttmpt t dpt prfrmnc ssssmnt n th rly stgs f ccuntblty mvmnt (Brn, 1997; Mrtnz & Sndr, 2001), th frst Knssstndrdzd stt ssssmnt n scl studs ws dmnstrd n th Sprng f 2001 (Glsnpp& Pgg, 2001). Th ntnt f ths ssssmnt ws t msur studnt chvmnt n trgtd bnchmrks nd ndctrs frm th 1999 vrsn f Knss Currculr Stndrds fr Cvcs- Gvrnmnt, cnmcs, Ggrphy, nd Hstry. Th tst frms dvlpd fr ths ssssmnt cycl wr ls usd n 2003 nd 2005 n grds sx, ght, nd lvn. Th nxt rund f sttwd tstng bsd n th 2004 updtd currculr stndrds, ssssmnt trgts, nd nwly

cnstructd tst frms, strtd n 2008. Th nwr scl studs ssssmnt ws ffrd twc, n2008 nd 2012.vn thugh n cnmcs curs s nt rqurd fr hgh schl grdutn n mst schl dstrcts n th stt f Knss, th prsnc f cnmcs tms n th stt ssssmnt prvds n ncntv fr ductrs t ntgrt cnmcs nt tchng but thr scl studs dscplns nd ddct tm fr cvrng cncpts nd tpcs frm th subjct mttr tht thrws wuld hv bn gnrd (VnFssn, 2005). ccrdng t th Cuncl fr cnmc ductn (C, 2011), Knss s mng th fv stts tht, lthugh thy d nt rqur cnmcs fr hgh schl grdutn, d nclud cnmcs n thr stt ssssmnt prgrms. Th ssssmnt f cnmcs prvds ncntvs fr ntgrtng ths subjct ntthr scl studs dscplns sttwd. Th Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnts rsult n lrg dt st t nlyz th lvl f undrstndng f th spcfc cnmcs ndctrs s dntfd by th Knss Stndrds fr Hstry nd Gvrnmnt; cnmcs nd Ggrphy.Th ssssmnt dt srvs s vlubl nlytcl tl s t cntns nfrmtn n th studnt prfrmnc tht cn b xmnd by gndr, rc, sc-cnmc sttus (SS), dsblty, nd mgrnt sttus (KSD, 2012). Unlk thr scl studs rs, th fld f cnmc ductn s xtnsvly rsrchd quntttvly (Mllr & VnFssn, 2008). grt numbr f rsrch pprs hv fcusd n xmnng th rltnshp btwn studnts' prfrmnc n cnmcs nd vrus studnt-lvl chrctrstcs (Wtts, 2006; Schug,Hrrsn & Clrk, 2012). Bckr (1983) ntd tht studnt dmgrphc chrctrstcs, such s studnt gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus, r sgnfcnt dtrmnnts f cnmc lrnng t th pr-cllg lvl. Ths hs bn vrfd by cntnud cnmc ductn rsrch, whch s rvwd n Chptr 2.

ccrdng t Glsnpp & Pgg (2001), nlyss f th Knss stt ssssmnt dt prvds rlbl nfrmtn n studnt prgrss n mtng stt currculr stndrds, nd Cwlt & Prthr (2001) stt tht dtld nlyss hlp t dntfy drctn fr pprprt ductnl mdfctns. Th n-dpth ntrprttn f th pst utcms f th ssssmnt bsd n clrly dfnd cdmc stndrds my prvd th ssntl dt nd vdnc tht culd b hlpful n th dvlpmnt f nw stt ssssmnt strtgs nd plcs n lght f dptn f th Cmmn Cr Stt Stndrds.Purps f th ths studyTh purps f ths rsrch ws tw-fld. Frst, ths study dtrmnd th lvl f studnt knwldg f ssssd cnmc ndctrs by cncpt rs nd by studnt chrctrstcs nd cmprd studnt prfrmnc n cnmcs wth prfrmnc n hstry, ggrphy, nd cvcs/gvrnmnt.Scnd, bcus undrstndng f scl studs n gnrl my ssum crtn lvl f cnmc knwldg (Buckls & Wtts, 1997; Wlstd & Wtts, 2011), ths rsrch dtrmnd th tms tht rqurd cnmc undrstndng t prfrm wll n th nn- cnmcs prtn f th scl studs ssssmnt nd prvdd cmprtv nlyss f studnt prfrmnc.Usng th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt tst frms nd ssssmnt rsults, th fllwng rsrch qustns wr xmnd:1. Hw wll d studnts n Grds 6, 8, nd hgh schl prfrm n th cnmcs subtst f th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt? Wht s thr lvl f undrstndng f th spcfc cnmc cncpts?

2. Hw wll d studnts prfrm n th cnmcs subtst tms s cmprd t th vrll scl studs scr nd th sub-tsts tms n cvcs/gvrnmnt, hstry, nd ggrphy?3. Hw s studnt prfrmnc n cnmcs rltd t studnt gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus?4. Wht s th studnt cmprtv prfrmnc n thr scl studs tms rqurng cnmcs knwldg wthn ch sub-dscpln s cmprd t th nn- cnmcs tst tms nd th cnmcs subtst?Nwly dvlpd tst tms, whch msur studnt knwldg nd undrstndng f th rvsd ndctrs nd bnchmrks fr th Knss Currculr Stndrds fr Hstry- Gvrnmnt, cnmcs, nd Ggrphy (KSB, 2004) nd ssssmnt dt llwd th vlutn f sttwd utcms f studnt knwldg f cnmc cncpts mng studnts n grds 6, 8, nd hgh schl.Th nlyss ddrssng th rsrch qustns ncludd multpl rgrssn nlyss, tsts f mn dffrncs, tm nlyss, nd dscrptv sttstcs.Th rsults f ths study my b usful n svrl wys. Frst, th utcms f studnt prfrmnc n cnmcs tst tms hlpd rvl strng nd wk rs f studnt cncpt undrstndng, thus ssstng Knss scl studs nd cnmcs tchrs n dntfyng whch cncpts r thms nd mr dtld xplntn nd nstructn. Scnd, ths study ttmptd t dnt cnmc cncpt rs tht rqur dpr mphss durng th study f hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd ggrphy. Th thrd r f mprtnc s rltd t tchr prfssnl dvlpmnt. Th fndngs f ths study shuld hlp cnmc ductrs n dsgnng

prfssnl dvlpmnt prgrms fr scl studs tchrs t prvd th knwldg bs fr th ntgrtn f cnmcs nt thr sub-dscplns.lthugh th stt ssssmnt prvds unqu pprtunty t us rdly vlbl dt t nlyz studnt prfrmnc, t ls hs lmttns. n prvus rsrch, tchrs qulfctn nd cntnt knwldg r ky fctrs f nflunc n studnt lrnng (Wtts,2006; Wlstd & Wtts, 2011). Ths study fcusd nly n studnt dmgrphc dt cllctd wthn th stt ssssmnt. Th rstrctn f tht dt us dd nt prmt cntrl fr such mprtnt fctrs ftn ncludd n th ductnl prductn functns s tchr qulty, nd ndvdul schl nd dstrct chrctrstcs. Thus, th rltnshp btwn studnts prfrmnc nd fctrs vlbl thrugh th xstng dt st dd nt uncvr vrblty n tst scrs tht mght b cusd by ths fctrs.vn n lght f ths lmttns, t s ths rsrchrs hp tht th rsults wll prvd usful nfrmtn t Knss scl studs tchrs nd currculum spclsts, s thy g bynd th stt-ssud rprt f studnt prfrmnc n th cntnt r s whl.Chptr f ths dssrttn rvws th ltrtur n th fld f cnmc ductn. t prvds brf hstry f th fld nd dtls th xstng sttus f pr-cllg cnmc ductn s wll s th rtnl fr t. t ls mphszs th stndrds mvmnt, stt ssssmnt prctcs, nd rsrch cnductd n th fld f cnmcs ductn. Chptr dscrbs th rsrch mthds, dsgn, ppultn, nd dt. Fndngs bsd n th nlyss f stt ssssmnt rsults r rprtd n Chptr V. Th fnl chptr dscusss th mplctns nd cnclusns f th dssrttn fndngs s wll s suggstns fr furthr rsrch nd dt cllctn.

CHPTR RVW F RLTD LTRTURTh purps f ths study ws t nlyz th lvl f studnt undrstndng f cnmc cncpts tstd n th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt. Th fllwng rsrch qustns wr nvstgtd:1. Hw wll d studnts n Grds 6, 8, nd hgh schl prfrm n th cnmcs subtst f th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt? Wht s thr lvl f undrstndng f th spcfc cnmc cncpts?2. Hw wll d studnts prfrm n th cnmcs subtst tms s cmprd t th vrll scl studs scr nd th sub-tsts tms n cvcs/gvrnmnt, hstry, nd ggrphy?3. Hw s studnt prfrmnc n cnmcs rltd t studnt gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus?4. Wht s th studnt cmprtv prfrmnc n thr scl studs tms rqurng cnmcs knwldg wthn ch sub-dscpln s cmprd t th nn- cnmcs tst tms nd th cnmcs subtst?Th gl f ths chptr s t prvd n vrvw f rsrch ltrtur rltd t ths study. Th chptr s dvdd nt thr mn prts. Th frst prt prvds n vrvw f th currnt sttus f cnmc ductn t th pr-cllg lvl nd th dvlpmnts tht ld t dvncng ts rl n th K-12 currculum. Th scnd prt rvws pst rsrch n fctrs rltd t cnmcs lrnng. Bcus th dt fr ths study cms frm th stt ssssmnt n scl studs, th thrd sctn prvds brf vrvw f th Knss ssssmnt prgrm n ths fld.

cnmc ductnTh prsnc f cnmc ductn n K-12 currculum tdy s th grtst t hs bn n ts hstry. ll stts nclud cnmcs n thr stndrds dcumnts (C, 2014). Twnty fur stts mndt sm typ f cnmcs curs t b ffrd t th hgh schl lvl nd twnty tw stts, ncludng th fv mst ppultd, rqur n cnmcs curs fr hgh schl grdutn (C, 2014). Nrly sxty prcnt f mrcn studnts tk sprtcnmcs curs t th hgh schl lvl, nd mst studnts r xpsd t cnmcs ds nd prncpls thrugh nfusn nt thr dscplns (Wlstd & Rbck, 2012). cnmcs, whch ws nc rsrvd fr study nly by cllg-lvl studnts, hs bn stblshd s n mprtnt schl subjct nd s nw n qul prtnr f hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd ggrphy n th K-12 scl studs currculum (Grms, 2012; Jnnss, 1990). Hwvr, dspt th ffrts n prmtng th mprtnc f cnmcs knwldg, th lvl f cnmc ltrcy mng yung ppl rmns lw nd thus thr s stll rm fr mprvmnt n th r f cnmcs tchng (Wlstd & Rbck, 2001).Why cnmc ductn?Ntnl dbt, lw svngs rts, trd dfct, crumblng nfrstructur, lst jbs, nd pvrty r mng th cnmc prblms tht th U. S. hs bn fcng n rcnt yrs. Ths ssus cnnt b gnrd, but rcnt publc dbts nd survys shw tht th mjrty f ctzns hv lttl undrstndng f th cuss f cnmc dffcults r hw thy cn b ddrssd (Hrrs ntrctv, 2005; Numnn, 2010). ccrdng t Wlstd (1998), n f th rsns fr such lmtd cmprhnsn f th prblms fcd by scty s n ndqut mphss n cnmc nd fnncl ductn n th schl currculum. cnmc ltrcy s prtculrly mprtnt n dmcrtc scts whr ctzns ply n ctv rl n th dcsn-mkng

prcss by vtng n prpstns, pltfrms, nd cnddts tht ffr vrty f slutns t mprtnt cnmc, frgn plcy, nd scl ssus (Mllr & VnFssn, 2008).s scl scnc, cnmcs ffrs ctzns usful nlytcl tls, cntxt, nd cntnt knwldg t mk nfrmd dcsns. s Jhn Mynrd Kyns wrt, th ds f cnmsts nd pltcl phlsphrs, bth whn thy r rght nd whn thy r wrng, r mr pwrful thn s cmmnly undrstd. ndd th wrld s ruld by lttl ls (Kyns,1936, p. 383). Snc cnmcs tuchs lmst ll spcts f sctl lf, cnmc ductrs blv tht tchng cnmc cncpts nd ds t studnts t yung g wll crt mr cmptnt nd rspnsbl ctzns f tmrrw (Bnszk, 1991; C, 2011). n th schl currculum, scl studs s th umbrll cntnt r tht prvds schl chldrn wth th ncssry knwldg nd rsnng sklls t fulfll ths rls (Hmt, 2000; NCSS, 1994).Scl studs s th "ntrdscplnry ntgrtn f scl scnc nd humnts cncpts fr th purps f prctcng prblm slvng nd dcsn mkng fr dvlpng ctznshp sklls n crtcl scl ssus" (Brth n Dlgrd, 1994, p.37). Trdtnlly, hstry hs bn vwd s th spn f th scl studs structur; ggrphy nd cvcs/gvrnmnt hv shrd dmnnt pstns n scl studs s wll (Hrtzbrg, 1981; Hmt, 2000).vr th curs f dvlpmnt f scl studs s schl subjct r, th cntnt nd cncpts frm dffrnt sub-dscplns ntgrtd, whch ld t th us f ntrdscplnry pprchs n th ndvdul subjcts tht cmprs t (Jnnss, 1990). Th ductn rfrm mvmnt f th 1960s cusd substntl chngs n th scl studs structur nd currculum. Du t th vrty f ffrts tht crtd ductnl prgrms nd prjcts ld by ntbl cnmsts nd currculum spclsts nd supprtd by ntnl ductnl gncs nd prfssnl rgnztns, cnmcs bcm nsttutnlzd n th schl currculum,

spclly t th hgh schl lvl (Jnnss, 1990). s such, cnmcs hs bcm n mprtnt nd ntgrl strnd f th nw bg fur f scl studs (Wtts & Wlstd, 2010). Tht stp ws qut rgnc bcus fundmntl ds f cnmcs hlp lrnrs t bttr undrstnd thr scl scncs (Blnchrd, Snsh, & Pttrsn-Blck, 1999; Mllr, 1988; Wtts & Wlstd, 2010). mng cnmcs schlrs nd ductrs, th qustn hs shftd frmwhthr t tch cnmcs t th pr-cllg lvl t wht cnmcs prncpls nd cncpts shuld b tught nd hw t d tht (Wrmk, 1970). s rsult f th rfrm ffrts, cnmcs, nc cnsdrd pprprt fr study nly t th cllg lvl, hs bn tught t svrl gnrtns f schl chldrn (Jnnss, 1990; Wlstd, 1998).Th rl f cnmcs n frmng rsnng nd ffctv ctznshp sklls hs bn mphszd by mny dstngushd cnmsts such s Stglr (1970), Tbn (1986), Smulsn (1987), Buml (1994) wh rgud fr th cs f cnmc ltrcy t th pr-cllg lvl (Wlstd, 2005). Th fllwng rsns r ftn lstd: studnts r bl t lrn th fundmntls f cnmcs vn t vry yung g (Schug & rmnt, 1985; Wlstd, 1992; Schug, 1994); rly xpsur t cnmc ds crts buldng blcks fr grspng mr cmplctd cnmcs prncpls n ltr grds (VnFssn, 2010); yung ppl strt mkng cnmc dcsns t n rly g, nd, s pwrful cnsumrs, thy nflunc mny spndng dcsns f thr prnts nd thus nflunc cuntrys cnmc dvlpmnt (VnFssn,2010). Jms Tbn, ftn qutd by cnmc ductrs, summrzd th rtnl fr cnmc ductn vry clrly:Hgh schl grduts wll b mkng cnmcs chcs ll thr lvs, s brdwnnr nd cnsumrs, s ctzns nd vtrs. wd rng f ppl wll bmbrd thm wth cnmc nfrmtn nd msnfrmtn fr thr ntr lvs. Thy wll nd

sm cpcty fr crtcl judgmnt, thy nd t whthr thy g t cllg r nt. (Tbn, 1986, p.22).ccrdng t Wlstd (2001), f nly 40 prcnt f undrgrdut studnts tk cnmcs n cllg, whch trnslts nt nly 25 prcnt f hgh schl grduts, fr th rmnng 75 prcnt f hgh schl grduts, tkng n cnmcs curs n hgh schl s th nly wy t lrn but ths subjct; subjct tht s vtl fr tchng yung dults t ntrprt nfrmtn but ur cnmy nd t mk dcsns. Whrs cnmsts hd md strng cs fr cnmc ductn t th pr-cllg lvl n th pst-Sputnk r, th chngs tht ld twrd grtr rl f cnmcs n th schl currculum hppnd rltvly rcntly, n th lst thr dcds (Wlstd, 2005).Currnt Sttus f cnmc ductn nd Rcnt Rfrm MvmntsTh rfrm ffrts tht nfluncd th N Chld Lft Bhnd ductn plcy rsultd frm svrl dvlpmnts tht cnnctd cnmc trubls f th 1980s wth n ndqut systm f publc ductn nd mdcr utcms chvd by th U.S. studnts n ntrntnl tsts s cmprd t thr ntrntnl cuntrprts (Mrtnz & Sndr, 2001; Vnvsks, 1999). Nt nly dd ths dvlpmnts nflunc th drctn f th rfrm mvmnt, but ls ld t ncrsd mphss n cnmc ductn n th schl currculum. Th mprtnt dcumnts tht sgnfd grtr rl f cnmcs t th pr-cllg lvl wr Ntn t Rsk: Th mprtv fr ductnl Rfrm rprt ssud n 1983 nd Gls 2000: duct mrc ct tht pssd n 1994 (Brnsn, 2003; Buckls t l., 2001) Ntn t Rsk (Ntnl Cmmssn n xcllnc n ductn,1983) ws prprd by th mmbrs f th Ntnl Cmmssn n xcllnc n ductn frmd durng th Rgn dmnstrtn. Th rprt ws brd cknwldgmnt tht mrcn studnts wr

nt dqutly prprd t succd n th mdrn glbl cnmy. Ths dcumnt, ftn ctd s th bgnnng f th cntmprry schl rfrm mvmnt, sgnfd nw r f stndrdsnd ccuntblty (dms, 2003; ductn Wk, 2004; U.S. Dprtmnt f ductn, 2008). t clld fr mprvd tchng nd r-stblshng rgrus subjcts-bsd nstructn n th nw cr dscplns, mng whch wr hstry, ggrphy, nd cnmcs (Ntnl Cmmssnn xcllnc n ductn, 1983). s rsult f th stndrds nd ccuntblty mvmnts t th ntnl lvl, mny U.S. stts strtd dptng ths systm nd dvlpd cntnt stndrds nd ssssmnt prgrms. n mny css, th frst sts f stt stndrds wnt undr furthr rvsn prcss (Ruthrfrd & Bhm, 2004).Th subsqunt lgsltn tht ls rflctd cmmtmnt t ductnl mprvmnt t th fdrl lvl ld t th dvlpmnt f ductnl gls fr th yr 2000, whch dtrmnd nw stg f th stndrd-bsd schl rfrm mvmnt (U.S. Dprtmnt f ductn, 2008). n 1994, tw lgsltv dcumnts, Th mprvng mrcs Schls ct nd Gls 2000: duct mrc ct, dfnd nw rl fr th fdrl gvrnmnt n ductn:t supprt ffrts by lcl nd stt ductnl gncs t ncrs studnt cdmc chvmnt lvl thrugh stt stndrds nd tstng (Shprd, Hnnwy, & Bkr, 2009). Th sgnfcnc f Gls 2000 fr scl studs nd cnmc ductn s ftn mphszd fr rcgnzng cnmcs lng wth hstry, ggrphy, nd cvcs/gvrnmnt s cr cdmc subjcts nd thus hghlghtng th mprtnc f cnmc ltrcy nd ctznshp sklls mng yung ppl (Mnz, 2005; Grnt & Slns, 2008).n rspns t th ncrsd mphss n cr scl studs dscplns undrlnd n Gls 2000, ntnl sts f stndrds wr lmst cncurrntly dvlpd by th ldng prfssnl rgnztns, ncludng umbrll stndrds n scl studs (Buckls, Schug, &

Wtts, 2001). Fr nstnc, xpcttns f xcllnc: Ntnl Currculum Stndrds fr Scl Studs ws publshd by th Ntnl Cuncl fr th Scl Studs (1994). ls, th Cntr fr Cvc ductn ssud Ntnl Stndrds fr Cvcs nd Gvrnmnt (1994) nd Ggrphy ductn Stndrds Prjct publshd Ggrphy fr Lf: Ntnl Ggrphy Stndrds (1994). n ddtn, Ntnl Cntr fr Hstry n th Schls publshd Ntnl Stndrds fr Hstry: Bsc ductn (1996). n 1997, Vluntry Ntnl Cntnt Stndrds n cnmcs ws publshd by th Ntnl Cuncl n cnmc ductn (nw Cuncl fr cnmc ductn). Publctn f th ntnl stndrds plyd n mprtnt rl n prvdng frmwrk, scp nd squnc fr tchng cnmcs, s wll s thr scl studs sub-dscplns t th pr-cllg lvl (Clrk, Schug, & Hrrsn, 2009).mng th frst sts f ntnl stndrds dvlpd s rsult f Gls 2000, th hstry stndrds wr th mst dbtd wthn th prfssn (brg, 1996). Ntnl stndrds nthr cr scl studs sub-dscplns rcvd gnrl pprvl by cdmc schlrs nd tchrs n th rspctv rs. vn thugh thr s nt lwys cnsnsus mng cnmsts but cnmc plcs (Fullr & Gd-Stvnsn, 2003), cnmc cncpts nd prncpls ncludd n ntnl stndrds n cnmcs r gnrlly grd upn mng schlrs nd ductrs nd rflct th nclsscl pprch f th cnmc nlyss (Hnsn, 1998; Mllr& VnFssn, 2008; C, 2010).Th Gls 2000 t th ntnl lvl nd subsqunt lgsltn n th stts rsultd n th dvlpmnt f stt stndrds n th cr cntnt rs. Ntnl stndrds hv bn rfrncd s frmwrk mdls by mny U.S. stts n th prcss f crtn f thr wn stndrds (Ggnn, 2003). Vluntry Ntnl Cntnt Stndrds n cnmcs (C, 1997) prvdd th bsc structur nd cntnt fr cnmcs stndrds n mny stt currculr

mndts (Buckls & Wtts, 1998). Wthut clrly wrttn ntnl stndrds, thr ws rsk f lvng ut cnmcs s cntnt r n stt stndrds dcumnts (Sgfrd & Mszrs,1998).Stt stndrds n cnmcs bsd n th ntnl stndrds r th prduct f cntnung ffrts whch sgnfy brdr ccptnc f cnmcs n th schl currculum lng wth prvdng bss fr th pprprt cntnt, s wll s ntgrtn nt ntrdscplnry scl studs (Buckls, Schug, & Wtts, 2001). Currntly, th Dstrct f Clumb nd ll 50 stts nclud cnmcs n th stt stndrds (C, 2014). Ntnl stndrds r ls usd s frmwrk fr stndrdzd tst dsgn (Buckls & Wlstd, 2008; Grms, 2008; Schug t l., 2012). Thus, publctn f Ntnl Cntnt Stndrds nd nclusn f cnmcs n stt stndrds ws nthr dvlpmnt tht sgnfd prgrss twrds grtr rl f cnmcs n K-12 currculum (Wlstd, 2005).vn thugh mny stts hd dptd ssssmnt systms lng bfr th N Chld Lft Bhnd ct (NCLB) f 2001, ths lgsltn tk th stndrds ccuntblty nd mvmnt t th nw lvl (U.S. Dprtmnt f ductn, 2008; Rdlvg, 2005), whch sgnfcntly chngd th scp nd stks f tstng prctcs n th stts. NCLB stblshd gls fr th ntnl ductn systm, dmndng tht stts rcvng trgtd fdrl funds strv t rs cdmc chvmnt lvls, whch wr msurd by th stt stndrdzd tstng, fr ll studnts rgrdlss f thr rc, sccnmc sttus, nglsh prfcncy r spcl-nds, by2014 nd ls t mt dqut yrly prgrss (YP) (rchbld & Frd, 2012). lthugh stts wr llwd t crt thr wn ssssmnt prgrms nd stblsh prfcncy lvls t msur YP wthn thr stts, NCLB mndtd tht tsts b gvn n crtn grds nd

subjcts n rdr t trck studnt chvmnt n schls nd dstrcts. Fdrl fundng ws td t studnt prfrmnc, but nly n crtn subjcts.Unfrtuntly, ffrts t mprv th cnmc undrstndng hv nt bn lwys dqutly supprtd by ths pwrful lgsltn tht hs shpd th ductnl systm n rcnt dcds (Hwrd, 2003). NCLB nd ts mplmnttn cusd shfts n th prrts by puttng prssur n nly tw subjct rs, mth nd rdng, thus d-mphszng th rl f scl studs (Grnt & Slns, 2008; Duncn, 2011). Ths nw mphss spclly ffctd scl studs t th lmntry lvl (VnFssn, 2005; Pc, 2007). Dspt ths unntndd cnsquncs, 23 stts rcgnzd th mprtnc f scl studs n th schl currculum by dmnstrng stt ssssmnts lgnd wth currculum stndrds n ths ntgrtd dscpln (Grnt & Slns, 2008). n tn f ths stts, th utcms hd cnsquncs fr studnts by dtrmnng thr blty t grdut bsd n thr tst prfrmnc (Grnt & Hrn, 2006; Grnt& Slns, 2008).s Buckls, Schug nd Wtts (2001) ntd, th fct tht mny rsrchrs, cnmsts nd ductrs rcgnz th mprtnc f cnmc ductn n th K-12 lvl, ds nt mn much unlss ths grmnt s supprtd by th stt ductnl ffcls nd schl dstrcts nd s trnsltd nt chngs n currculum. n 2011, schl dstrcts n twnty-fv stts rqurd cnmcs t b ffrd t th hgh schl lvl; twnty-tw stts, ncludng sm fth mst ppultd stts, mndtd tht hgh schl studnts cmplt curs n cnmcs s rqurmnt fr grdutn (C, 2011). vn thugh t s lss thn hlf f th stts, th numbr lmst dubld snc 1998 whn th frst Survy f th Stts ws cnductd by thC nd trpld snc 1982, whn nly svn stts rqurd tkng cnmcs curs t th hgh schl lvl (Wlstd, 1992). n ddtn, sxtn stts ncludd cnmcs n th stt

ssssmnt prgrms (C, 2011). Du t th ncrsd ttntn t cnmc ductn frm th stts nd ffrts f rgnztns tht prmt cnmc ductn t th pr-cllg lvl, th numbr f studnts tht rcv nstructn n cnmcs hs ls ncrsd. Bch nd Sundrs (1965) rprtd tht, n th 1960s, nly but 20 prcnt f hgh schl studnts wr xpsd t cnmcs. Th mst rcnt studs rprt tht lmst 60 prcnt f studnts tk hgh schl cnmcs curs (Wlstd & Rbck, 2012; Wlstd & Wtts, 2011).Th nclusn f cnmcs n th rgulr Ntnl ssssmnt f ductnl Prgrss (NP) ws nthr mprtnt stp tht rflctd ncrsd rl f cnmcs s subjct t th pr-cllg lvl (Buckls & Wlstd, 2008; Schug t l., 2012). Th NP, r Ntnl Rprt Crd, dmnstrd by th U.S. Dprtmnt f ductn, s th mjr cntnuus ssssmnt f studnt knwldg nd prgrss n tn subjct rs tht r unvrslly tught n th U.S. schls, ncludng cvcs/gvrnmnt, ggrphy, U.S. hstry, nd snc 2006, cnmcs. t uss rprsnttv smpl f studnts frm ll stts (Buckls & Wlstd, 2008).NP tst dmnstrtn rflcts th scp nd squnc f tchng cnmcs n th scl studs n K-12 currculr (Wlstd & Wtts, 2011). Ntnl ssssmnt n hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd ggrphy, th rs tht r tught thrughut th ntr schl crr, r dmnstrd n furth, ghth, nd twlfth grd. cnmcs, whch s usully tught s sprt subjct nly t th hgh schl lvl, s tstd nly mng twlfth-grdrs (Wlstd & Wtts, 2011).Thugh th study f cnmcs s cmprtvly lss mphszd thn thr scl studs rs thrughut th schl crr, sm rsrchrs, lthugh cutusly, pnt ut tht tst rsults n cnmcs n 2006 NP mng twlfth-grdrs wr bttr thn th rsults n hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd ggrphy dmnstrtd by thr cllgus n 2010 (Grms,

2012; Clrk t l., 2009), lthugh th uthrs wrn tht rsns fr ths phnmnn hv nt bn nvstgtd (Schug t l., 2012).cnmcs n thr Scl Studs Sub-dscplnslng wth mkng dcsns but wht shuld b lrnd by studnts t th pr-cllg lvl, cnmsts wr cmmttd t fndng gnrlly pprvd pln f ncrprtng cnmcs n schl currcul nd fttng ts cntnt nt brd scl studs nd thr rltd dscplns. cnmc ductrs stt tw wys f tchng cnmcs t th pr-cllg lvl:s sprt cnmcs curs r thrugh nfusn n thr subjcts, usully tught wthn scl studs (Mllr, 1988; Wlstd, 2001; Wlstd & Rbck, 2001; Wtts, 2006). Typclly, lmntry scl studs s tught s n ntgrtd dscpln, ncrprtng tw r mr f th sub-dscplns. s studnts bcm ldr, scl studs dscplns r ffrd s sprt curss. vn thugh cnmc ductrs blv tht sprt curs n cnmcs s th bst wy f mprvng studnt knwldg n th subjct (Mllr, 1988; Wlstd & Rbck, 2001; Wtts, 2006; Clrk t l., 2009), th nfusn f cnmcs nt thr subjct rs s th mst cmmn wy f tchng t (Wlstd, 2001), spclly n th stts tht d nt nclud n cnmcs curs n grdutn rqurmnts.s scl scnc tht prvds frmwrk fr nlyss f humn bhvr n lght f llctng scrc rsurcs nd s systmtc wy f thnkng, cnmcs cn b ntgrtd nt mny dscplns studd t th K-12 lvl, fr xmpl, ltrtur, mth, scl studs (Mllr,1988; Wlstd & Wtts, 2011). Mny stt lgslturs hv pssd rgultn t mndt tchng f cnmcs n schls, nd snc nly but hlf rqur sprt cnmcs curs fr grdutn (C, 2011), cnmcs s ftn ntndd t b ntgrtd nt thr dscplns, typclly nt hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd ggrphy.

mng scl studs sub-dscplns, hstry s dmntng subjct tht s cmmnly ffrd n lmntry, mddl, nd hgh schl, whrs thr sub-dscplns r tught t sngl pnts n tm (Jnnss, 1990), usully t th scndry lvl. Th rl f hstry s ftnrgrdd s mns f ncrprtng knwldg frm dffrnt scl studs strnds (Hrtzbrg,1981). ntgrtn f cnmcs nt th study f hstry hlps studnts mk mprtnt cnnctns btwn pst nd currnt vnts nd undrstnd th chcs tht ppl nd scts md n th pst nd vlut cnsquncs f thm fr th futur (llngtn, 2010).Th ssntl cnnctn btwn cnmcs nd nthr sub-dscpln, cvcs- gvrnmnt, s supprtd n sm stts by prng th tw dscplns nt n curs. s Dck, Bls, & Mr (1996) ntd n th C publctn Cvcs nd Gvrnmnt: Fcus n cnmcs, th U.S. cnsttutn s qully pltcl nd n cnmc dcumnt. Th lnk btwn cnmcs nd cvcs s vry bvus n such trdtnl cvcs-gvrnmnt tpcs s lctns, th rl f gvrnmnt, nd txtn.n rdr t succd n ths cmpttv nd ntrdpndnt wrld nvrnmnt, studnts nd t cqur sgnfcnt lvl f prfcncy n nthr cr strnd f scl studs, ggrphy. Whn nlyzng ggrphc fctrs nd lrnng but th nvrnmnt, studnts nd t tk nt ccunt cnmc fctrs, s wll. Knwldg f bth f ths subjcts nd thr nstrumnts f nlyss fcltts th study f wrld rgns nd ppls chcs but th us nd llctn f scrc rsurcs (ndrsn, Mszrs & Rsr, 2004).cnmc cncpts nd ds undubtdly blnd wth th study f hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, nd ggrphy (Wlstd & Wtts, 2011). Cnsquntly, f cr scl studs sub-dscplns r tught wthut nlyzng cnmc frcs nd ncntvs bhnd th vnts r

ppls chcs, sgnfcnt prtn f knwldg but frcs nd mtvtn bhnd ths ctns wll b mssng (ndrsn, Mszrs & Rsr, 2004; Schug & Wd, 2010).Rsrch n cnmc ductnnvstgtn f th fctrs cntrbutng t lrnng f cnmcs t th pr-cllg nd cllg lvls bgn n th rly 1970s. Rsrch n cnmc ductn s mr prvlnt thn n th thr scl studs rs, prtlly bcus cnmsts dvlpd stndrdzd tsts fr ssssng th lvl f cnmc knwldg nd undrstndng t ll ductnl lvls (Mllr & VnFssn, 2008). Th rsrch n ths fld s typclly cnductd by cnmsts wh hv substntl trnng n quntttv rsrch mthds, nd wh r ls nvlvd n prfssnl dvlpmnt prgrms fr K-12 tchrs (Wtts, 1987b; Wlstd, 1992; Mllr & VnFssn,2008; VnFssn & McGrw, 2011).Mst studs n cnmc ductn msur studnt chvmnt n trms f th stck r flw f cnmc knwldg (Sgfrd, 1979; Wtts, 1987; Wlstd, 1990). Th lvl f cnmc undrstndng (stck f cnmc knwldg) msurs bslut knwldg t spcfc pnt n tm. Th flw f cnmc knwldg msurs th mprvmnt n undrstndng r lrnng f cnmcs vr prd f tm r s rsult f n cnmcs curs r trnng. n th flw mdls th rsrchrs us tw msurs, th chng scr (pr-tst scr mnus pst-tst scr s th dpndnt vrbl) nd th vlu ddd, whr pr-tst scr s rgrssr nd pst-tst s dpndnt vrbl (Sgfrd, 1979).lthugh thr r n prfct mdls tht llw msurng ll dmnsns f lrnng (Bckr & Wlstd, 1987), th prductn functn mdl hs prvd t b usful mns fr cnductng rsrch. ductnl prductn functns, bsd n th prductn functn frmwrk, hv bn usd n mny flds f rsrch. Hnushk (1986) dscrbd th

cnvntnl prductn functn mdl whr studnt chvmnt (r ductnl utput) s functn f mjr grups f cumultv nputs such s fmly bckgrund, whch ncluds dmgrphc nd sc-cnmc chrctrstcs tht nflunc lrnng bynd schl pprtunts, nd schl chrctrstcs, whch rflct lrnng rsurcs grupd nt vctrs f tchrs, schl, nd schl systm nputs ffctng ductnl prcss.T ssss knwldg (cgntv dmn) f cnmcs nd tttuds (ffctv dmn) twrd cnmcs nd mrkt cnmy, dffrnt stndrdzd nrmd msurmnt nstrumnts wr dvlpd by cnmcs schlrs nd hv gn thrugh svrl dtns (Wtts, 2006; Wtts, 2012). Th mjrty f studs cnductd n th r f cnmc ductn bs thr fndngs n ths msurmnt nstrumnts. Rgrssn nlyss bsd n th prductnfunctn mdl s th mst cmmn mthd f stmtng th rltnshp btwn studnt chvmnt nd ductnl nputs (Bckr & Wlstd, 1987).Svrl fctrs hv bn fund t b rltd sgnfcntly t cnmcs lrnng crss mjrty f studs. mng th mst mprtnt fctrs rltd t cnmcs lrnng t th hgh schl lvl wr studnt humn cptl, tchr prprtn n th subjct mttr, nd th curs typ (Wtts, 2006) nd, hnc, th rvw f th studs n thm lng wth th mprtnt dmgrphc fctrs ncludd n th dt wll b prsntd n th sctn blw.Studnt pttudsStudnt scrs n tsts such s Quck Wrd Tst, Q (Wlstd & Spr, 1989) r Clfrn pttud Tst (CT) (Lwsn & 'Dnnll, 1986) tht msur studnt pttud nd ntllgnc wr fund t b sgnfcnt prdctrs f studnt lrnng. Lwsn nd 'Dnnll (1986) mntnd tht th studnt ntllgnc s msurd by CT scr ws n f th mst mprtnt cntrbutrs lrnng f cnmcs n thr mdl. Lwsn nd 'Dnnll (1986)

sttd n thr cncludng rmrk: Whr th lrnr s n hs vrll ntllctul dvlpmnt wll ffct mst hs knwldg, cmprhnsn, nd undrstndng f bsc cnmc cncpts (p.184). Wtts (2006) suggstd tht pstv crrltn btwn studnt ntllgnc lvl nd cnmcs lrnng s unvrsl fndng.Tchr Prprtn n cnmcsTchr knwldg hs bn fund n mny studs t sgnfcntly nflunc studnt cnmcs lrnng utcms t th pr-cllg lvl. Bch nd Sundrs (1965) sttd tht thr ws n dffrnc n knwldg mng tchrs wth n cllg cnmcs curs r nly n r tw curss. Scl studs tchrs wh tk n curss n cnmcs gv crrct nswrs t nly thr mr qustns n th Tst f cnmc Undrstndng thn th snrs wh tk n-smstr cnmcs curs n hgh schl (32 nd 29 qustns ut f 50, rspctvly). Th uthrs ls rprtd tht but 40 prcnt f scl studs tchrs tk lss thn thr cllg lvl cnmcs curss; hwvr, cmpltng n r tw cllg lvl cnmcs curss dd nt sgnfcntly mprv undrstndng f cnmcs mng scl studs tchrs. Tkng mr thn fv cnmcs curss by scl studs tchrs rsultd n th sm scr gn s dmnstrtd by hgh schl studnts wh rcntly tk n cnmcs curs s cmprd ths f studnts wth n cnmcs.Svrl studs cnductd by Lynch (1990), Bsshrdt nd Wtts (1990), nd llgd nd Wlstd, (1999) nvstgtd th rltnshp btwn tchrs knwldg f cnmcs nd studnt prfrmnc. Studnts f tchrs wh hd tkn mr cnmcs clsss dmnstrtd bttr prfrmnc n th Tst f cnmc Ltrcy (TL). Sgnfcnt mprvmnts n studnt lrnng f cnmcs ppr nly f thy r nstructd by tchr wh tk mr thn fv (Lynch, 1990) r sx (llgd & Wlstd, 1999; Bsshrdt & Wtts,

1990) curss n ths prtculr fld, suggstng tht th rltnshp s nt lnr. Buttrs, srt, nd Fschr (2011) fund smlr pstv rltnshp btwn tchr curswrk n cnmcs nd studnt lrnng wth th tst nd survy dt frm thr study sttng tht nvstng n tchrs humn cptl hs sgnfcnt rturns n th clssrm (p.47). Thy ls suggstd tht n-srvc tchr trnng ds nt cmpnst fr frml cllg curswrk n cnmcs, hnc mntnng tht tchrs wh r ssgnd t tch r ntgrt cnmcs shuld hv strng cdmc bckgrund n th dscpln tht culd b cmplmntd by th prfssnl dvlpmnt (Buttrs, srt, & Fschr, 2011).Dspt th prvn mprtnc f tchrs cntnt knwldg, Mllr nd VnFssn (2008) n thr rcnt rvw f th rsrch n cnmc ductn ndctd tht crtfd scl studs tchrs, th mn grup f ths wh tch cnmcs, lck substntl bckgrund n ths prtculr fld. Schug nd Wd (2010, p.1) suggstd th fllwng rsns: (1) tchrs gnrlly hv wkr prprtn n cnmcs s cmprd t mr trdtnlly tught sub- dscplns, (2) prsnttn f cnmcs s dsml scnc by mny cllg prfssrs wthut mphszng th mst fundmntl cncpts nd thus (3) mttng th bhvrl nd dcsn-mkng spcts f t. thr uthrs ls blv tht scl studs tchrs r lss prprd t tch cnmcs thn ny thr cr scl studs dscplns (Dums, vns, & Wbl, 1997; snhur & Zprwsk, 1994; Lynch, 1994; Wlstd & Wtts, 1985; Wlstd& Kurlsky, 1999). rsn fr wkr cnmcs cntnt knwldg mng scl studs ductrs s prprtn rqurmnts, whch trnslts nt lw numbr f curss tkn. Wlstd nd Wtts (1985) rprtd tht vr hlf f lmntry tchrs nvr tk n cnmcs curs nd 25 prcnt tk nly n curs. Bsshrdt nd Wtts (2005), lkng t th cllg

trnscrpts f crtfd scl studs tchrs, fund tht, n vrg, thy tk nly n cllg cnmcs curs. Bsd n th bv mntnd fndngs, n curs dd nt sm nugh t frm sld bckgrund tht wuld trnslt nt dp knwldg bs n th subjct mng tchrs nd thr studnts (Mszrs & Sutr, 1998).Wtts (2006) suggstd tht vn thugh cnmcs s prt f scl studs nd thus s typclly tught by th tchrs frm ths fld, busnss r vctnl ductn tchrs tnd t hv bttr bckgrund n cnmcs nd thus thr studnts ls prfrm bttr n th tsts tht msur cnmcs knwldg. Bsd n ths fndng, Clrk t l. (2009) suggstd tht scl studs tchrs shuld nt b th nly nstructrs ssgnd t tch cnmcs n hgh schls. Snc tchrs knwldg bs n th subjct mttr hs n mprtnt ffct n studnt chvmnt, t s mprtnt t hv hgh stndrds fr dpr cntnt knwldg n tchr ductn prgrms, nd ths shuld b ddrssd t th stt nd lcl lvls.Curs TypWlstd nd Wtts (1985) ctd th rsults frm ntnl survy fndngs tht ndctd tht cnmcs s tught n mr thn 30 dffrnt K-12 curss. n gnrl, cnmcs ductrs ndct tw wys f tchng cnmcs t th pr-cllg lvl: s sprt curs r thrugh nfusn nt thr subjcts, usully tught wthn scl studs (Mllr, 1988).lthugh thr r mny prpnnts fr th ntgrtd pprch, nly lmtd numbr f rsrch rsults ndct tht cnmc cncpts cn b succssfully lrnd f thy r ntgrtd nt vrus subjcts (Wlstd, 1992). mjrty f cnmc ductn rsrch studs shw tht th lrgst gns n cnmc undrstndng hppn mng studnts wh tk sprt smstr-lng curs n hgh schl s cmprd t lrnng cnmcs whn t s

nfusd n thr dscplns, but th gn s rthr smll f cmprd t n-yr curs(Wlstd & Rbck, 2001).dvntgs f sprt cnmcs curs hv bn vrfd by thr rsrchrs (Wlstd & Spr, 1988; Wlstd & Spr,1989; Bckr, Grn, & Rsn, 1990; Lpus, 1997; Wlstd, 2001; Wlstd & Rbck, 2001).Wlstd nd Spr (1988) bsrvd n chng btwn cnmcs pr- nd pst-tst scrs mng studnts wh cmpltd th curs n U.S. hstry r gvrnmnt, wth nd wthut ntgrtd cnmcs, r cnsumr cnmcs curss, whrs mn gn f svn-prcnt ccurrd n th grup f studnts wh tk sprt cnmcs curs. Wlstd nd Rbck (2001) rprtd tht studnts wh tk sprt curs n cnmcs prfrmd 20 prcnt bttr n th TL thn studnts wh studd nly sm cnmcs wthn scl studs.Dspt mdst chngs n th flw f cnmcs knwldg whn t s lrnd frm th cntxt f thr dscplns, th nfusn pprch cn srv s n ltrntv t sprt curs f ntrducng cnmcs t yung ppl (Wlstd, 2001), nd spclly t hgh schl drputs wh lv hgh schl bfr lvnth r twlvs grd whn cnmcs s usully tkn (Brnnk & Spr, 1987). Fr xmpl, Schug nd Nrdrjhn (2008) ssssd th lvl f cnmcs knwldg s rsult f th curs f study whr tchrs usd crfullydsgnd cnmcs lssn plns wthn U.S. hstry curs. Studnts frm th xprmntl grup wh wr tught by th tchrs wh usd th dscrt ntgrtd unts dmnstrtd sgnfcnt gn n th lvl f cnmcs nd U.S. hstry lrnng nd whrs cntrl grup dd nt shw ny gn. Ths rsults suggst tht cmprhnsv nd wll-plnnd trtmnt f cnmcs n tchng thr scl studs dscplns my ld t mprvd knwldg f cnmcs nd nn-cnmcs dscplns (Clrk t l., 2009).

Brnnk nd Spr (1987), mng pssbl pprchs, suggstd tht th mst ffcnt wy f ncludng cnmcs n th schl currculum wuld b blndd pprch whr nfusn f cnmcs nt thr scl studs dscplns cmplmnts dsgntd cnmcs curs. Ths rcmmndtns cn ls b tkn nt cnsdrtn whn mkng dcsns but currculum nd stt mndts.lthugh rsrch shws tht sprt cnmcs curs s th prfrrd ptn, th rlty f crwdd schl currculum ftn dmnds fr nfusn f cnmcs. Snc cnmcs s nt rqurd fr grdutn n mst schl dstrcts n th stt f Knss, t s pssbl t ssum tht nfusn s cmmn wy f tchng cnmc cncpts, hwvr, t s unclr hw much cnmc s cvrd ths wy n schls n Knss. Th nlyss f stt ssssmnt rsults my hlp vlut th lvl f cnmc knwldg rqurd fr undrstndng cnmcs nd nn-cnmcs scl studs sub-dscplns nd ffctvnss f ntgrtd nstructn f cnmc cncpts sttwd.Rsrch n th mpct f Studnt Lvl Dmgrphc Chrctrstcs n cnmcsLrnngStudnt SSSnc th md-1960s, ftr th nfluntl Clmn Rprt ws ssud, fmly sccnmc sttus hs bn vwd s n f th strngst fctrs f ductnl prfrmnc (Clmn t l., 1966; Rrdn, 2011; Bkr, 2012). n th rsrch ltrtur, studnt lgblty fr th fdrl fr r rducd-lunch prgrms s typclly usd s n ndctr f fmly ncm lvl r studnt sc-cnmc sttus (SS) (NCS, 2011c; Buttrs t l., 2011).n f th gls f th NCLB lgsltn ws t nrrw chvmnt gps. Rrdn(2011), usng dt frm 12 ntnlly rprsnttv studs, rprtd tht th ncm nqulty

xprssd by th gp btwn hgh- nd lw-ncm fmls hs wdnd n th lst 40 yrs, whch ld t n ncrs n studnt chvmnt gp bsd n prnts ncm. Whrs th Blck-Wht chvmnt gp hs nrrwd rcntly, th ncm gp (btwn th studnts frm90th nd 10th prcntl) hs ncrsd nd s nw lmst tw tms mr thn th rcl gp(Rrdn, 2011).n cnmc ductn rsrch, Spr nd Brnnk (1981) nd Wtts (1985) wr mng th frst rsrchrs wh ncludd th prprtn f studnts lgbl fr fr-lunch n th dstrct s dtrmnnt f studnt lrnng. typcl trnd rprtd n th rsrch ltrtur s tht studnts frm hghr ncm fmly bckgrunds (nt prtcptng n Ntnl Schl Lunch Prgrm, NSLP) tnd t dmnstrt hghr tst scrs thn studnts frm lwr ncm fmls. n th cnmc ductn rsrch, ths fndng ws supprtd n numbr f studs, mng whch wr Spr nd Brnnk (1981), Wtts (1985), Lwsn & 'Dnnll (1986), Wlstd & Spr (1989), Spr & Wlstd (1988), Buttrs nd Fschr (2008), tc.Th Ntns Rprt Crd n cnmcs ds nt cntn studnt SS n trms f thr lgblty fr NCLP; hwvr, th rprt cntns rsults sprtd by prnts ductn lvls nd th numbr f bks t hm. Th lvl f ductnl ttnmnt by prnts s ftn rltd t th fmlys sc-cnmc sttus, whch s, n turn, rltd t studnts ductnl utcms (Dvs-Kn, 2005), nd th numbr f bks s usd s n ndrct msur f SS (Wlstd,2013). Studnts whs prnts hd hghr lvl f ductnl ttnmnt hd hghr vrg scrs (Md & Sndn, 2007; NCS, 2013). Hghr numbr f bks t hm (mr thn 100) ws ssctd wth hghr NP crs (Wlstd, 2013).Studnt SS dt s cllctd wthn NP n thr scl studs sub-dscplns. ThNtns Rprt Crd shws tht n 2006 NP n Cvcs, thr ws 30-pnt dffrnc n

vrg scrs btwn ghth-grdrs frm hghr ncm fmls nd ths rcvng fr lunchs. Th vrg scr f th rducd-lunch grup fll n th mddl (Lutkus & Wss,2007). n grd fur, th dffrnc ws 28 pnts. smlr trnd ws bsrvd n th NP n U.S. Hstry n th sm yr. Th chvmnt gp btwn th studnt grups wth hghr SS nd lwr SS ws 31 pnts n furth grd nd 28 pnts n ghth grd (L & Wss, 2007). n 2010, th gps nrrwd by thr pnts.Studnt lgblty fr NCLP s strng prdctr f thr chvmnt lvl nd, ccrdng t Bruc Bkr (2012), t xplns but 2/3 f th tst prfrmnc vblty n th stt f Nw Jrsy. Knss stt ssssmnt dt ls cntn ths vrbl llwng fr vlutng f studnt SS s strng prdctr n cnmcs lrnng.Studnt Rc/thnctyStudnt rc/thncty s nthr dmgrphc fctr tht s ftn ncludd s n xplntry vrbl f studnt prfrmnc. Bckr, Grn, nd Rsn (1990) rprtd tht studnt rc s n mprtnt fctr rltd t cnmcs knwldg; t s ftn ncludd n th ductnl prductn functn mdls. Mny uthrs fund tht nn-wht studnts prfrm wrs n cnmcs thn thr wht cuntrprts. S, fr xmpl, Spr nd Wlstd (1988), Wlstd nd Rbck (2001), Md & Sndn (2007), Wlstd & Buckls (2008), Buttrs & srt (2011). n rltvly rcnt study, Buttrs & srt (2011) usd th dt frm th smpl f hghly mtvtd hgh schl studnts wh prtcptd n th ntnl cnChllng cmpttn. Th rsults dmnstrtd by th studnts rprsntng dffrnt rcs shwd smlr pttrn: wht studnts scrs r ntcbly hghr thn ths f Hspnc nd Blck studnts. smlr pttrn ws fund n Knss n th cnmcs prtn f th 2005 scl studs stt ssssmnt (Krdsh, 2007).

Th 2012 Ntns Rprt Crd n cnmcs ls dmnstrts rc/thncty-bsd chvmnt gps. Th mn scrs f Wht nd sn/Pcfc slndr studnts wr hghr thn ths f Blck, Hspnc, nd mrcn ndn/lsk Ntv studnts n bth 2006 nd2012 (NCS, 2013). Th rsults shwd tht zr prcnt f studnts frm Hspnc r Blck rcl grups prfrmd t th dvncd lvl n 2006 nd n prcnt n 2012 NP n cnmcs ssssmnt (Md & Sndn, 2007; NCS, 2013). n 2012, Hspnc studnts scrd sgnfcntly hghr thn n 2006 nd, thrfr, rducd th Wht-Hspnc gp frm 26 pnts t 22 (NCS, 2013). Th chvmnt gps btwn Wht nd Blck studnts (31 pnts n 2006, nd 29 n 2012) nd Wht nd mrcn ndn/lskn Ntv (21 nd 24 rspctvly) rmn hgh. Thr ws n sgnfcnt dffrnc n studnt prfrmnc btwn Wht nd sn/Pcfc slndr grups f studnts (NCS, 2013). Smlr pttrns n chvmnt gps mng dffrnt dmgrphc grups r ls fund n thr scl studs rs, s rprtd n Ntns Rprt Crds (NCS, 2011, NCS, 2011b; NCS, 2011c).Vdr (2000) lstd numbr f fctrs cmmnly fund n th rsrch ltrtur tht mght ply rl n th rc/thncty-rltd gps, mng whch wr pvrty lvls, fmly humn cptl, qulty f curswrk n lss fflunt schls, pr prssur, prnts nd tchr xpcttns, nd lmtd ccss t th rly chldhd ductn prgrms.Btwn studnt rc/thncty nd gndr, th studnt gndr, hwvr, s strngr dtrmnnt f cnmcs prfrmnc msurd by th multpl-chc tst nstrumnts (Wtts,2006).Studnt Gndrn xtnsv bdy f rsrch hs fcusd ttntn n xmnng th rltnshp btwn studnt gndr nd lrnng nd undrstndng f cnmcs t dffrnt grd lvls.

Studs tht mphsz th gndr fctr t th pr-cllg lvl nclud Sgfrd (1979), Buckls nd Frmn (1983), Wtts (1987), Lumsdn nd Sctt (1987), Hth (1989), Wlstd nd Spr (1989), Wlstd nd Rbsn (1997), srt nd Buttrs (2011), tc. Sm studs fund n gndr dffrnc mng yungr schl chldrn (Buckls & Frmn, 1983), hgh schl studnts (Wtzl, Tl, & Mllnr, 1991), nd cllg studnts (Brg & Strnhn,2002; Swp nd Schmtt, 2006). Wtts (1987) nd Hth (1989) fund tht gndr dffrnc n prfrmnc pprs nd xsts mng hgh schl studnts. Wlstd (1990) summrzd thtth mst cmmn fndngs rltd t th gndr gp s tht mls dmnstrt bttr undrstndng f cnmc cncpts n prtsts thn fml, but ml nd fml studnts lrn cnmcs t th sm rt. lthugh gndr prfrmnc gps hv bn studd xtnsvly, thr s n cnsnsus n th nflunc f ths fctr n studnt lrnng.Sgfrd (1979) ws mng th frst cnmsts wh lkd t gndr dffrncs n cnmcs prfrmnc. H summrzd pssbl rsns fr gndr dffrncs nd sttd tht gndr gp ccurs s rsult f vrts f fctrs, mng whch r dffrnt ntrsts ndcrr sprtns; dffrnt prcptns f th fml rl n th scty nd xpcttns fr succss n ths prdmnntly ml prfssns; dffrnt lvls f mturty mng bys nd grls tht mght nflunc th dvlpmnt f vrbl nd sptl sklls (Sgfrd, 1979). t shuld b ntd tht mny rsns lstd vr 30 yrs g r n lngr rlvnt du t th chngstht ccurrd n schls nd scty (Jhnsn, Rbsn, & Tngn, 2011). Bckr (2004) prtlly xplnd th dsgrmnt but th rl f gndr by th ppld rsrch mthds, th smpl slctn bs, nd by dffrncs n frmultng rsrch qustns.Mst studs tht lk t dffrncs n gndr-rltd prfrmnc usd multpl-chc tsts s msurmnt nstrumnt wth scrs rprtd sprtly fr ml nd fml studnts.

Rsrchrs fund tht ml studnts dmnstrt hghr lvl f cnmc undrstndng r stck f cnmc knwldg (Sgfrd, 1979; Frbr, Bmbum, & Grn, 1983; Lumsdn& Sctt, 1987; Hth, 1989; Wlstd & Rbsn, 1997). Frbr t l. (1983), s wll s Lumsdn nd Sctt (1987), rgud tht th ml-fml dffrnc n prfrmnc my xst du t th pplctn f th tstng nstrumnts. Tw frmr studs usd ssy qustns nd fund tht fml studnts prfrm bttr n xm qustns tht nvlv dmnstrtn f wrtng sklls. Fndngs by Wllms, Wldur, nd Duggl (1992) nd Grn (1997) cntrdctd ths rsults. Fml studnts dd nt dmnstrt dvntgs whn thy wr skd t rd cnmcs sttmnts nd rcgnz ths tht r crrct r n th ssy typ f xms.Wlstd nd Rbsn (1997) lkd nt th fctrs tht cus gndr dffrncs n prfrmnc, s wll. Thy dntfd nd rmvd th qustns tht wr dffcult fr fml studnts t cmprhnd nd nlyzd th scrs f th mdfd tst. Th rsultng gndr prfrmnc gp dcrs suggstd th xstnc f gndr tst bs (Wlstd & Rbsn, 1997). Th mprtnc f tht study ws tht fml studnts mght xprnc dffcults wth prtculr tst tms r cncpts du t cntnt r culturl spcts f th qustns. srt, Buttrs, nd Thmpsn (2013), hwvr, dd nt fnd vdnc tht th ml-fml prfrmnc gp s ttrbutd t th tst bs.Buttrs nd srt (2011) r-vstd th qustn f gndr dffrncs n cnmcs lrnng. Th uthrs ntd tht thr study ws stmultd by mr rcnt fndngs f Zgrt (2000) nd Swp nd Schmtt (2006) wh suggstd tht ml-fml prfrmnc gp n cnmcs hd bn lmntd. Buttrs nd srt (2011) fund tht ml studnts scrd sgnfcntly hghr thn fml studnts; th dffrnc prsstd n ch cntnt ctgry f th Tst f cnmc Ltrcy (Wlstd & Rbck, 2001b) tht ws usd s n nstrumnt. Buttrs

nd srt (2011) cncludd tht th gndr gp n cnmc undrstndng hs nt bn lmntd yt nd suggstd tht furthr rsrch ws ndd t shd mr lght n th gndr gp tpc.Th utcms f 2006 NP n cnmcs cntn nfrmtn but prfrmnc f twlfth grd ml nd fml studnts sttng tht, n vrg, thr ws fur-pnt sgnfcnt dffrnc n scrs (Md & Sndn, 2007; Grms, 2012). Th nlyss ls rvld tht sttstclly sgnfcnt gndr dffrnc n studnt prfrmnc s spclly pprnt t th t r bv Prfcnt lvl. n th scl tht rngs btwn zr nd 300, th mn tst scr f ml studnts ws 152 whrs t ws 148 fr fml cuntrprts; th dffrnc ws sgnfcnt (Md & Sndn, 2007). Th rsults f th ltst NP n cnmcs ls dmnstrt th gndr chvmnt gp hs nt nrrwd yt. n 2012, ml studnts utprfrmd fml studnts wth th sx-pnt dffrnc n th mn scr (NCS, 2013).Th utcms f 2010 NP n U.S. hstry dmnstrtd tht th vrg scr f bys ws hghr thn tht f grls (NCS, 2011c). n ggrphy, s dmnstrtd n 1994, 2001, nd2010, ml studnts prfrmd bttr, n vrg, thn fml studnts n ll ssssd grd lvls (NCS, 2011b). n NP n cvcs n 1998 nd 2006, hwvr, gndr dffrnc ws n fvr f grls (NCS, 2011).Krdsh (2007) rprtd tht n th cnmcs prtn f 2005 KS Scl Studs ssssmnt, th gndr ml-fml gp prsstd crss ssssd grd lvls nd tht ffct f gndr ws strngr n hgh schl s cmprd t grds 6 nd 8. nlyss f gndr prfrmncs n 2012 wuld shw f th gndr chvmnt gp n cnmcs hs nrrwd n th lst yrs mng Knss studnts.

Grms (2012) cncludd tht vn thugh mjrty f studs ssssng studnt lrnng n cnmcs us gndr s dtrmnnt, th ssu ssctd wth dffrnc n prfrmnc hs nt bn stsfctrly xplnd yt. t s lwys usful t rplct nd xtnd th prvus rsrch t thr supprt fndngs frm rly studs r fnd nw spcts f tchng nd lrnng. Th rsrchrs n th fld f cnmc ductn gr tht lrnng sdmn spcfc (Wtts, 2006), multdmnsnl nd tht th multpl chc tstng nstrumnts cnnt grsp ll spcts f cnmcs lrnng (Bckr, 2001; Wlstd & Rbck, 2001). Dvlpmnt f msurmnt nstrumnts tht wuld llw lkng t dffrnt spcts f lrnng culd hlp undrstnd th dffrnc n gndr-rltd lrnng. Cnsquntly, ml- fml dssmlrts shuld b tkn nt ccunt n dsgnng ssssmnt nstrumnts, tchng mtrls nd ductnl plcs tht wuld hlp lmnt th gp. Ths s n mprtntprblm s gndr rltd chvmnt dffrncs cn ffct such mprtnt ssus lk crr chc, ncm nqulty, qul py, nd cuntrys vrll cnmc grwth (urydc, 2010).ntrctns mng Dmgrphc Chrctrstcslthugh rsrchrs rprt dstnct sc-cnmc, rcl, nd gndr pttrns n studnt chvmnt gps, ths vrbls ln cnnt xpln vrblty n studnt prfrmnc. t s nt cmmn, hwvr, t fnd studs tht ddrss spcfc ttntn t ntrply btwn studnt-lvl chrctrstcs such s dffrncs n ductnl ttnmnt btwn fml nd ml studnts wthn vrus ncm r rcl grups n th cnmc ductn rsrch.Rsrchrs hv trd t pnpnt why ntrctn rc/thncty nd sc-cnmc sttus srv s mprtnt dtrmnnts f studnt chvmnt scrs. Vdr (2000) ntd tht Hspnc nd frcn-mrcn studnts, wh gnrlly rcv lwr scr n stndrdzd

tsts, frquntly cm frm lwr-ncm fmls s wll. ccrdng t Cllg Brd dt frm 1990, Hspnc studnts wr tw tms mr lkly, nd Blck studnts wr lmst thr tms mr lkly thn Wht r sn studnts t cm frm fmls wth lw sc-cnmc sttus (Vdr, 2000). Ths fndng mght suggst tht thr s crrltn btwn th prntl ncm lvls, rc/thncty nd studnt prfrmnc lvl.Vdr (2000) lstd th cmbntn fctrs tht mght ply rl n th chvmnt lvl dffrncs wthn sm rcl grups. Fr xmpl, ccrdng t study frm tw stts ctd by Vdr (2000), prntl xpcttns but chldrns cdmc succss, whch nflunc studnt prfrmnc t schls, nd prntl ductnl bckgrunds vry mng dffrnt rcl grups. sn-mrcn prnts wth n hgh schl dplms hd hghr xpcttns f thr chldrns succss t schls thn prnts wth cllg dgrs frm thr thr mjr rcl grups. frcn-mrcn prnts hd th lwst xpcttns, rgrdlss f thr ductnl lvl (Vdr, 2000).Brg nd Strnhn (2002), whl cntrllng fr prsnlty typ, tk clsr lk t th rl f studnt rc nd gndr n th studnt chvmnt lvl n n uppr-cnmcs curs by ncludng ntrctn trms. vn thugh studnt gndr ws n nsgnfcnt prdctr n th mdl wthut ntrctn trms nd tht ntrvrts prfrmd bttr thn xtrvrts, th uthrs fund tht nly fml ntrvrts utprfrmd xtrvrtd studnts f bth gndrs (Brg & Strnhn, 2002). Smlrly, th rsrchrs fund tht n th mdl wthut ntrctn trms, th grup f Blck studnts ws utprfrmd by Whts. By cntrllng fr prsnlty typ, thy fund, hwvr, tht Blck studnts prfrm smlr t th studnts frm thr rcs; thy r just nt th hghst chvrs n ths curss. Th utcms f th study cnductd by Swp nd Schmtt (2006) ls suggstd tht rc nd prsnlty typs r mprtnt

prdctrs f prfrmnc n cnmcs, spclly mng ml studnts. Brg nd Strnhn (2002) mphszd th mprtnc f nclusn f ntrctn trms n th rsrch mdls nd cncludd tht crtn prsnlty typs cmbn wth crtn rc nd gndr ffcts t prduc studnts wh utprfrmd thr studnts n uppr-lvl cnmcs (p.13).Th cmprhnsv rprt f gndr qulty n ductn by urpn Cmmssn stts tht ml-fml chvmnt gp s rltd t thr dmgrphc chrctrstcs. Fr xmpl, n th mst urpn Unn cuntrs, th gnrl trnd s tht fml studnts rprsntng thnc mnrts prfrm bttr thn ml studnts, but nt hrn fmls rprsntng thnc mjrts (urydc, 2010). Snc t s dffcult t sngl ut cus nd ffct n gndr rltd chvmnt gp ssu, th urpn Cmmssn cncludd tht thr wr vry lmtd numbrs f plcy nttvs tht ddrss t. Thrfr, snc nly lmtd numbr f studs ncludd ntrctn trms nd prvdd lttl xplntn bhnd chvmnt gps wthn vrus gndr, SS, r rcl sub-grups, furthr nvstgtn f th phnmnn s ndd n rdr t gt clsr t fndng slutns t cls t.Studnt Cncpt UndrstndngSvrl studs cnductd by Wlstd nd Spr (1988b), Spr nd Wlstd (1988), Wlstd nd Rbck (2001), Buttrs nd srt (2011) fcusd n cncpt undrstndng s msurd by ntnlly nrmd tst nstrumnts. Ths studs lkd t th dffrncs n studnt prfrmnc sprtd by fur cncpt rs s dntfd n th Frmwrk fr Tchng Bsc cnmc Cncpts (Sundrs & Gllrd, 1995), fundmntl cnmcs, mcrcnmcs, mcrcnmcs, nd ntrntnl cnmcs, nd nlyzd studntprfrmnc n spcfc cncpt ctgrs by dtrmnng th mn scr fr ch ctgry nd cmprng tht t wth th vrll tst mn.

mng fur cntnt ctgrs, studnts usully shwd bttr undrstndng f fundmntl nd mcrcnmcs cncpts thn mcrcnmcs nd ntrntnl cnmcs cncpts (Wlstd & Spr, 1988b; Spr & Wlstd, 1988; Wlstd & Rbck, 2001). Fr xmpl, n 2001, th prcnt crrct n fundmntl cncpts s dmnstrtd by studnts n rgulr cnmcs ws 67% nd 53% n th ntrntnl cncpts; prcnt crrct n mcrcnmcs nd mcrcnmcs qustns wr 62% nd 57%, rspctvly, mng studnts tkng hgh schl cnmcs curs. Th prfrmnc pttrns by cntnt ctgrs wr smlr fr th studnts wh dd nt tk dsgntd cnmcs curs; hwvr, thr mn scrs by cntnt ctgry wr lwr nd rngd frm 38% t 45%. Buttrs nd srt (2011) rprtd tht prtcpnts f th ntnl cnChllng cmpltn, wh tk rgulr cnmcs clsss, dmnstrtd hghr scrs n fundmntl cncpt ctgry (62.6%) nd lwr prfcncy lvls th mcrcnmcs (53.4%), mcrcnmcs (54.5%) nd ntrntnl cnmcs ctgrs (53.6%). dvncd studnts, r ths wh tk P r hnrs curss, prfrmd sgnfcntly bttr thn rgulr studnts n ch cncpt ctgry. Thr hghst scrs whr n mcrcnmc (81.7%) nd lwst n ntrntnl cnmc cncpts (76.8%)Studnt undrstndng f spcfc cnmc cncpts wthn ch cntnt ctgry vrs, s wll. Wlstd nd Rbck (2001) nd Buttrs nd srt (2011) fund thtpprtunty cst, mny, nd xchng r usully th mst dffcult cncpts t grsp wthn th fundmntl ctgry, whl th cncpts f scrcty nd cnmc systms r typclly lss dffcult. n th mcrcnmcs tpcs, rgulr studnts, wh tk n-smstr curs, scrd prly n th cncpt clustrs tht r nt cmmnly ncludd n ths curss: ncm dstrbutn, mrkt flur, nd th rl f gvrnmnt (Buttrs & srt, 2011; Wlstd &

Rbck, 2001; Spr & Wlstd, 1988). n mcrcnmcs, mntry plcy nd nfltn r mng th mst dffcult cncpts. Spcfclly, th scr n th mntry plcy ws th lwst s rprtd by Wlstd nd Rbck (2001) nd Buttrs nd srt (2011). Studnts ls hv dffculty rcgnzng th dfntn f Grss Dmstc Prduct (GDP), whrs th unmplymnt nd fscl plcy qustn clustrs prsnt lss dffculty (Buttrs & srt, 2011; Wlstd & Rbck, 2001). Wthn th ntrntnl cnmcs grup f qustns, studnts tnd t prfrm prly n th tms tht tst knwldg f cmprtv dvntg, xchng rts, blnc f pymnt, nd blnc f trd (Wlstd & Rbck, 2001; Buttrs & srt, 2011), s wll s n qustns rltd t grwth nd stblty (Wlstd & Rbck, 2001).Krdsh (2007), wh nlyzd studnt chvmnt lvl n cnmcs bsd n th 2005Knss scl studs ssssmnt dt, rplctd th pprch f Spr nd Wlstd (1988) n hr unpublshd dssrttn study. Cntrry t sm ntnl studs rprtd bv, Krdsh (2007) fund tht Knss hgh schl studnts hd dffculty wth such fundmntl cncpt s cnmc systms nd pprtunty csts. Lss thn hlf f Knss hgh schl studnts culd crrctly dntfy dffrncs n cnmc systms r th chrctrstcs f mrkt cnmy whrs th mn scr fr ths cncpt s usully mng th hghst, t 72 prcnt, s dmnstrtd by th ntnlly-nrmd smpl f studnts (Wlstd & Rbck, 2001). Ths s prtculrly rmrkbl snc cnmc systms r mntnd ftn n th md. thr fundmntl cncpts, pprtunty csts nd cst-bnft nlyss, wr nt vry clr t th Knss sxth-grdrs thr. ghth-grdrs dmnstrtd lw lvl f undrstndng f cnmc cncpts frm th ntrntnl trd ctgry. vrll, Knss studnts hd dffcults wth th ntrntnl cnmcs cncpts; hlf f th hgh schl studnts culd nt

crrctly dntfy GDP nd fctrs f cnmc grwth, whch r th mcrcnmc cncpts(Krdsh, 2007).Wlstd nd Rbck (2001) suggstd tht tpc squnc nd thr cmplxty culd ply rl n dffrncs n studnt undrstndng. Whrs fundmntl nd mcrcnmc cncpts r usully prsntd rlr n th curs f study nd prbbly ntgrtd n thr scl studs subjcts thrughut dffrnt grd lvls, mcrcnmcs nd ntrntnl cnmc cncpts r usully tught twrds th nd f th curs, nd tchrs ftn run ut f tm t cvr th lst r n dtls (Wlstd & Rbck, 2001). nthr pssbl rsn bhnd th dffrncs n studnt undrstndng s tchrs rnkng f cncpt mprtnc s suggstd by tchr survy rsults. Khyum, Vlntn, nd Frsnr (2004) nlyzd qustnnr rspnss f ndn hgh schl cnmcs tchrs nd dtrmnd tht th lrgst shr f th nstructn tm s dvtd t mcrcnmcs (43%) nd th lst munt f tm (9%) s dvtd t th ntrntnl cnmcs tpcs. ndn scl studs tchrs spnd, n vrg,28% f clssrm tm tchng but mcrcnmcs. Th rst f th llttd tm (20%) s spnt n tchng th prsnl fnnc tpcs, whch s twc th munt f tm mndtd by th stt. ndn tchrs, thrfr, spnd lss tm thn prscrbd by th stt n tchng mcrcnmcs nd ntrntnl cnmcs t tch mr but prsnl fnnc. Clrk t l. (2009) fund tht th hgh schl scl studs tchrs frm th survyd ntnl smpl tndd t rt th mprtnc f th cntnt frm mcrcnmcs nd prsnl fnnc much hghr thn f th tpcs frm mcrcnmcs nd ntrntnl trd. nly sx prcnt f tchrs frm tht smpl rpld tht t ws vry mprtnt fr thr studnts t lrn but thr cuntrs nd nly 13 prcnt plcd vry hgh mprtnc n lrnng but ntrntnl trd nd nsttutns wthn th curs (Clrk t l., 2009).

dtld nlyss f cncpt undrstndng s typclly nt prt f th stt ssssmnt rprts (Buckls t l., 2001), yt t my cntn prctcl nfrmtn fr ductrs. Th pprchs usd n th rsrch bv r rplctd n th currnt study. n f th mprtnt mplctns f th nlyss f th stndrds-bsd ssssmnt utcms s xmntn f hw Knss studnts prfrm n th tst qustns tht msur thr knwldg f prtculr ndctrs nd ssctd cncpts. Th nlyss culd hlp dntfy th cncpts tht nd mr fcus.ssssmnt s Prt f n ccuntblty Systmmrcn schl rfrm s n ngng prcss. Th stndrds-bsd ductn nd ccuntblty rfrm mvmnt hs thrty-yr hstry. Th ccuntblty systm f th mdrn ductn wrld hlps prvd nfrmtn but studnt lrnng. Prpnnts f ths mvmnt rgu tht ssssmnts culd b nstrumntl n mprvng studnt cdmcprfrmnc by mkng ductrs nd schls ccuntbl fr lrnng utcms (Durn, 2005). Thy bsd thr blf n th d tht tstng wll crt ncntvs fr bth tchrs nd studnts t prfrm t thr bst, spclly f thr r cnsquncs fr ndqutprfrmnc.ssssmnt s n ssntl prt f th ductnl prcss nd n mprtnt cmpnnt f ccuntblty. ssssmnt f lrnng nd tchng ncluds vrty f ptns, frm slf- ssssmnt t stndrdzd tsts. ductnl ssssmnt cn b grupd n dffrnt ctgrs: frmtv nd summtv ssssmnts (Mrzn, 2006; Grnt & Slns, 2008); nrm-rfrncd (NRT) nd crtrn-rfrncd tsts (CRT) (Stggns, 1994).Scrvn (1967) dscrbd th dffrnc btwn frmtv nd summtv vlutns rgrdng th gls f gthrng nd usng nfrmtn. Frmtv ssssmnt mpls ngng

rvws nd bsrvtns f lrnng prcsss ccmpnd by ntrctv fdbck tht llws studnts t mntr thr prgrss nd tchrs t mprv thr nstructn. Summtv ssssmnt s crrd ut t crtn pnt f tm, ftr nstructn s fnshd, t vlut th lvl f studnt knwldg. t s usully rfrrd t s n ccuntblty msur tht cn ls b usd t dtrmn studnt knwldg rltv t cntnt stndrds (Phl, 2003). Scl studs sttwd ssssmnt prctcs dmnstrd by th ductnl uthrts wthn NCLB r cnsdrd summtv rthr thn frmtv s thy frquntly d nt prvd drct fdbck but lrnng t studnts nd tchrs (Phl, 2003). Rsults f summtv ssssmnts cnductd by th stts llw mkng cmprsns f studnt chvmnt t schl r dstrct lvls. Stt ssssmnts r ls crtrn-rfrncd tsts. Unlk nrm-rfrncd tsts tht r usd t rnk studnts, crtrn-rfrncd tsts r usd t dtrmn hw studnts prfrm n trgtd gls r hw wll thy hv mstrd prtculr sklls r stndrds (Bnd, 1996).Stt ssssmnt f cnmc Knwldg n KnssLrg scl ssssmnt prctcs n scl studs r rltvly nw phnmnn. ttntn t th lvl f studnt knwldg n ths r ws gvn ftr th scl studs wr prnuncd s n f th cr subjct rs f schl currculum (Grnt & Slns, 2008). n2011, Knss ws mng fv stts tht dd nt rqur n cnmcs curs fr hgh schl grdutn, but ncludd t n thr stt ssssmnt prgrms (C, 2011), nd thus nsurd tht ths subjct s tught n schls. Fr tht rsn, t s pprnt tht th Knss Stt Dprtmnt f ductn hs rcgnzd th mprtnc f cnmc ltrcy mng schl chldrn.Snc mst schl dstrcts n Knss d nt rqur cnmcs fr hgh schl grdutn, sm schls d nt ffr sprt clsss n cnmcs. f schls d ffr cnmcs, studnts usully tk t n twlfth grd n th frm f n-smstr lctv curs

t fulfll scl studs rqurmnts. t th sm tm, t mt th Knss stndrds n scl studs, studnts, spclly ths n mddl schl, r rqurd t hv knwldg bs n cnmcs wthut tkng dsgntd curs nd thus thy r xpctd t lrn ths subjct mttr n thr dscplns. s sn by mny Knss schl dstrcts nd ductrs, th mst sutbl wy f fttng cnmcs nt schl currculum s by ts ntgrtn nt hstry curss (Brunr, 2008).Stt ssssmnts hv ptntl f prvdng mprtnt nfrmtn but th xtnt t whch th cncpts ncludd n ssssd stndrds r bng tught r lrnd (Buckls t l.,2001). n Knss, wthn NCLB, studnts hv bn tstd n dffrnt subjct rs t dffrnt pnts durng thr cdmc crrs by th Knss Stt ssssmnt systm. ssssmnts n scl studs ccur t thr pnts: n grds sx, ght, nd hgh schl. Knss ssssmnts n scl studs r lw-stks tsts wth n drct cnsquncs fr studnts, hwvr, th tst utcms r usd s prtl fctr n dtrmntn f th schls Qulty Prfrmnc ccrdttn (QP) (KSD, n.d.; Mrtnz & Sndr, 2001). vn whn stks ssctd wth th sttwd ssssmnts r lw, th prsnc f n ssssmnt stll ffcts nstructnl dcsns tht ductrs mk nd thus nfluncs tchng nd lrnng (Grnt & Slns, 2008; Glsnpp & Pgg, 2001).Dvlpmnt f th Knss scl studs ssssmnt prgrm tk svrl stps. ftr th Knss Stt Brd f ductn ccptd th QP systm n 1991, th subsqunt stps wr th dvlpmnt nd dptn f currculr stndrds nd crtn f ccuntblty msurs t vlut studnt ttnmnt f ths stndrds. n th r f scl studs, th frst ttmpt t vlut studnt scl studs knwldg ws th crtn f prjct-bsd prfrmnc ssssmnts n rdr t lnk tgthr currculum, stndrds, nd nstructn

(Brn, 1997). vn thugh prfrmnc stndrds smd t rprsnt sutbl wy t ssss th multdscplnry fld f scl studs, th ccuntblty nstrumnts dd nt mt sm rqurmnts ndd fr lrg scl ssssmnt s thy wr nt gnrlzbl nd nt cst-ffctv n trms f grdng (Brn, 1997). s rsult, KSD stppd usng prjct-bsd ssssmnt n 1998 nd crtd stndrdzd tsts t vlut studnt knwldg nd sklls n th fur cr scl studs rs spcfd by Knss currculr stndrds (Mrtnz & Sndr,2001).Th frst stndrdzd stt ssssmnt n th scl studs r ws ntndd t msur studnt chvmnt nly n trgtd bnchmrks nd ndctrs frm th 1999 vrsn f Knss Currculr Stndrds fr Cvcs-Gvrnmnt, cnmcs, Ggrphy, nd Hstry. t ws dmnstrd n th sprng f 2001, whch srvd s bsln yr (Glsnpp & Pgg,2001). Thr wr tw prlll frms n th multpl-chc tst frmt fr ch tstd grd lvl. Studnt tst scrs wr sttstclly qutd crss frms t llw fr cmprblty f th rsults. ssssmnts n 2003 nd 2005 wr bsd n th 2001 ssssmnts.ftr th frst fv-yr ssssmnt cycl ndd, th nxt prgrm ws dvlpd. Th nwly dvlpd Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt ws frst dmnstrd n th Sprng f2008. t ws bsd n Th Knss Currculr Stndrds fr Hstry nd Gvrnmnt; cnmcs nd Ggrphy (KSB, 2004), pprvd n 2004 nd rvsd n 2005. Th scnd dmnstrtn f ths ssssmnts tk plc n th 2011-2012 cdmc yr nd prvdd th dt fr th prsnt study.s crtrn-rfrncd tst, 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt ws lgnd wth 2004 scl studs currculr stndrds. Th ssssmnts wr bsd n st f ndctrs dfnd by th Knss Stt Brd f ductn. ch ssssd ndctr n ch f th fur

scl studs dscplns ws msurd by tw tst qustns. Th numbr f ndctrs vrd by th sub-dscpln nd grd lvl. n grd sx, thr wr 48 multpl-chc tst tms tht ddrssd ndctrs fr Grds 5 nd 6. n Grd 8, thr wr 60 tst tms tht wr lgnd wth ndctrs fr Grds 7 nd 8. ssssmnt n hgh schl, whch cnsstd f 60 qustns lgnd wth hgh schl stndrds, ws dvdd qully btwn tw prts, Wrld Fcus nd U.S. Fcus.Fllwng th dvc f th ssssmnt xprts t rduc th ntrvls btwn rlvnt curswrk nd tstng, KSB splt th hgh schl ssssmnt nt tw prts n rdr t ccmmdt curs squnc (Brunr, 2008). Snc n Knss, n-yr Wrld Hstry curs tht ls ncluds tpcs rltd t wrld ggrphy nd cnmcs s typclly tkn n grds 9 r 10, nd U.S. hstry nd cvcs/U.S. gvrnmnt n grds 11 nd 12, th cmpstn nd th pln fr dmnstrtn f hgh schl scl studs tsts rflctd ths trnds (Brunr, 2008). ccrdng t th KSD ssssmnt wrksht, Wrld Fcus cnsstd f th qustns tstng studnt knwldg f wrld hstry, ntrntnl cnmcs, nd wrld ggrphy. U.S. Fcus ncludd cvcs-gvrnmnt, U.S.-rltd cnmcs, nd U.S. nd stt hstry. n th 2011-2012 cdmc yr, studnts n Grds 10 nd 12 wr th trgtd chrts fr Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt, but ndvdul schl dstrcts r schls culd dcd nwhch f ths grds th studnts culd tk th tst, nd whthr thy wuld tk thr r bth f th fcus tsts.T ntrprt th ssssmnt utcms, th KSD stblshd cut-pnts fr studnt chvmnt bsd n ctul tst scr dstrbutn (Brunr, 2008). n th 2001 bsln yr, chvmnt n th tst ws ctgrzd s: dvncd, Prfcnt, Stsfctry, Bsc, nd Unstsfctry. Bgnnng n th 2008 rund f ssssmnts, th prfrmnc lvls wr rttld

s: xmplry, xcds Stndrd, Mts Stndrd, pprchs Stndrd, cdmc Wrnng(Brunr, 2008; rwn t l., 2009).Unlk stt ssssmnts n rdng nd mth, th Knss ssssmnt n Scl Studs ws nt prt f th fdrl ccuntblty systm nd thus th rsults wr nt usd fr clcultn f YP (Glsnpp & Pgg, 2001). Wthn th ccuntblty systm, stt ssssmnt prgrms wr stblshd nd ntndd t prvd nput but tchng nd lrnng spcfd by th stt currculr stndrds (Glsnpp & Pgg, 2001). Thrfr, th mjr gl f ssssmnt n Knss ws t dntfy f studnts chvd th trgtd cntnt stndrds n th tstd subjct rs t prtculr grd lvl.vry yr KSD (vlbl t www.ksd.rg) ssus ts ssssmnt rprts s prt f th ccuntblty Rprt (r Knss Rprt Crd) tht cntns nfrmtn but studnt prfrmnc lvls n th stt ssssmnts. vn thugh t cvrs sttwd studntprfrmnc lvls sprtd by gndr, rc, SS, dsblty, nd mgrnt sttus, t nly prsnts ssssmnt nfrmtn n th scl studs subjct rs s whl (KSD.rg, n.d.). Th vrll scl studs prfrmnc-lvl rsults r ls rprtd n th buldng nd dstrct lvls. mplmnttn f Kns Cmputrzd ssssmnt llwd gvng mmdt studnt- lvl prcnt-crrct rsults upn th cmpltn f th tst (Brunr, 2008). Studnts n sxth nd ghth grds rcvd thr prcnt-crrct scr nd prfrmnc lvls mmdtly ftr cmpltng th tst n 2012. Snc hgh schl studnts culd cmplt Wrld Fcus nd U.S. Fcus tsts n dffrnt yrs, thy wr suppsd t rcv thr prfrmnc lvl nly ftr cmpltng bth prts (D. Grumn, prsnl cmmunctn, Fbrury 3, 2014).ssssmnt rsults n scl studs rprtd by th KSD n ts wbst r nt dsggrgtd by th sub-dscpln wthn ths ntgrtd cntnt r; hwvr, by-ndctr

prfrmnc summry s vlbl t th dstrct nd schl lvl. Ths study nlyzs studnt prfrmnc n ch tstd scl studs cntnt r llwng fr cmprsn f th prfrmnc rsults crss scl studs sub-dscplns nd, fr th cnmcs prt f th tst, dffrncs n studnt prfrmnc dsggrgtd by gndr, rc/thncty, nd SS, nd t srvs t cmplmnt th trdtnl rprts f th Knss scl studs ssssmnt utcms. Prvusly, dtld stt lvl nlyss ws put ut n 2007 (Krdsh, 2007), th nw dt utcms dtld n th fllwng study culd shd sm lght n th chvmnt lvl f cnmcs ndctrs by nthr chrt f studnts n Knss.Th stndrds-bsd rfrm mvmnt rcvd wdsprd supprt frm dffrnt grups ntrstd n ductnl mprvmnt; hwvr, t hs nt bn fr f cntrvrsy. n crtcsm hs bn tht th mplmnttn f th ccuntblty systm crtd n nvrnmnt whr dmnstrtrs nd tchrs djust cntnt nd skll dvlpmnt t th tst rqurmnts nd my d-mphsz such mprtnt sklls s crtcl-thnkng nd rgnlty (Buckls t l.,2001). nthr crtcsm hs bn tht t cusd shfts n prrts n th ccuntblty systm. Fr xmpl, t hs dmnshd th rl f scl studs (Grnt & Slns 2008), ncludng cnmcs, spclly t th lmntry lvl (VnFssn, 2005). ccrdng t VnFssn (2010), lmtng th pprtunts t lrn cnmcs t th lmntry lvl furthr dmnshs undrstndng n ltr grds. Dspt mrgnlztn f scl studs durng th NCLB r f schl rfrms, nclusn f cnmcs n th scl studs stndrds nd stt ssssmnts dmnstrtd th cmmtmnt t th cnmcs subjct r lrnng n th stt f Knss.n summry, ths chptr prvdd n vrvw f th currnt sttus f cnmc ductn, stndrds nd ccuntblty mvmnt tht ld t th chng twrds grtr rl f cnmc ductn t th ntnl nd stt lvls. Ths vrvw f th dvlpmnt f th

stndrds nd ssssmnt nstrumnts, tgthr wth rvw f rsrch n fctrs rltd t cnmcs knwldg, prvdd th thrtcl bckgrund fr th prsnt study nd hlpd utln th rsrch qustns nd mthds.

CHPTR MTHDLGYThs study ttmptd t shd lght n dtld spcts f studnt prfrmnc n th 2012Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt n th fur cr rs f scl studs (hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, cnmcs, nd ggrphy), wth mn mphss n studnt knwldg f cnmcs. Th study spcfd th lvl f studnt knwldg f ssssd cnmc ndctrs nd cncpts, nvstgtd studnt-lvl fctrs rltd t cnmcs undrstndng, nd cmprd tst rsults n cnmcs wth rsults n th hstry, ggrphy, nd cvcs/gvrnmnt sub-tsts. Fnlly, ths study nlyzd th tst tms frm th nn-cnmcs subjct-rs f scl studs, lkng t ths tht dd nd dd nt rqur cnmcs knwldg t nswr crrctly, nd cmprng studnt prfrmnc n ths tw ctgrs f qustns.Fr th purps f ths study, fur rsrch qustns wr cnsdrd. Thy wr:1. Hw wll d studnts n grds 6, 8, nd hgh schl prfrm n th cnmcs subtst f th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt? Wht s thr lvl f undrstndng f th spcfc cnmc cncpts?2. Hw wll d studnts prfrm n th cnmcs subtst tms s cmprd t th vrll scl studs scr nd th sub-tsts tms n cvcs/gvrnmnt, hstry, nd ggrphy?3. Hw s studnt prfrmnc n cnmcs rltd t studnt gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus?4. Wht s th studnt cmprtv prfrmnc n thr scl studs tms rqurng cnmcs knwldg wthn ch sub-dscpln s cmprd t th nn- cnmcs tst tms nd th cnmcs subtst.

Ths chptr ddrsss th ppultn, dt, thrtcl frmwrk, rsrch dsgn, nd sttstcl mthds utlzd t nswr th rsrch qustns.PpultnTh ntur f th stt-wd ssssmnt llws fr nlyzng th dt drwn frm th ntr studnt ppultn n crtn grds n n prtculr stt. Th ppultn f ths study cnsstd f ll studnts wth n spcl ductn nds n grds sx, ght, tn nd twlv ttndng schls n th stt f Knss wh cmpltd th cmputrzd 2012 Knss Hstry- Gvrnmnt stt ssssmnt. Th numbrs f studnts n sxth nd ghth ppultn grups wr 31,702 nd 31,570, rspctvly. Th ttl numbr f hgh schl studnts wh tk th Wrld nd U.S. Fcus tsts ws 19,240.DtTh dt cnssts f th st f studnt scrs n th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt. Knss ssssmnt n scl studs ws ffrd n multpl-chc frmt wth ch tst tm qully cntrbutng t ttl scr. n 2012, fur tst frms wr usd n ch ssssd grd lvl. n frm ws ppr nd pncl nd th thr thr wr cmputr-bsd (clld Knss Cmputrzd ssssmnt r KC). n grds sxth nd ght, thr wr tw sts f qustns n bs frms wth tw shuffl frms. t th hgh schl, thr ws n st f qustns dstrbutd mng thr frms, n bs nd tw shuffl.Th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt s crtrn-rfrncd tst tht msurs th lvl f studnt ttnmnt f th ndctd stndrds, bnchmrks, nd ndctrs frm fur sts f stndrds n th scl studs sub-dscplns f hstry, cvcs, cnmcs, nd ggrphy. subst f ndctrs wthn ch sub-dscpln ws slctd by th Knss Stt Dprtmnt f ductn fr ssssmnt, nd ch ssssd ndctr ws msurd by tw tst

qustns (KSD, 2007). Th ttl numbr f tst tms vrd by grd lvl. n grd sx, thr wr 48 tst tms; n grd ght, thr wr 60 tst tms; nd n hgh schl, thr wr 59 tms, dvdd btwn tw prts, U.S. Fcus (29 tms) nd Wrld Fcus (30 tms) (rwn tl., 2009). Th numbrs f tms tht ssssd knwldg n ch sub-dscpln by grd lvl r ndctd n Fgur 1.Fgur 1Numbrs f Tst tms by Grd Lvl nd Sub-dscplnGrd Lvl

Numbr f tms by sub-dscpln SclStuds

Surc: dptd frm KSD Knss Scl Studs Tst Spcfctns (2007, rvsd n 2011).Th numbr f tms n ch sub-dscpln vrd by grd lvl. n grd sx, mng 48 tst qustns, 24 wr n hstry nd 8 tms n ch f cvcs/gvrnmnt, ggrphy, nd cnmcs sub-dscplns. n ghth grd, 50 prcnt f 60 tst tms wr n hstry, nd th rst f th tst ws qully dvdd nt 10 qustns ch n th rmnng sub-dscplns. tth hgh schl lvl, cnmcs cntnt ws ssssd by ttl f sx tst tms n ch f th Wrld Fcus nd U.S. Fcus tsts, cvcs/gvrnmnt by nn tst tms n th U.S. Fcus tst, ggrphy by 10 tms n th Wrld Fcus tst, nd hstry by 14 tms n ch tst.Th rspnss t th tst tms wr scrd s crrct (=1) r ncrrct (=0). Th vrll nd sub-dscpln tst rsults wr clcultd nd rprtd s th prcnt-crrct. Th dt st ls cntnd studnt-lvl dmgrphc nd sc-cnmc chrctrstcs: gndr, rc/thncty, nd fr- r rducd-lunch lgblty. Ths chrctrstcs cmprsd th scp

f dt ccssbl t th rsrchr. T nsur cnfdntlty f th subjcts, th ndvdul studnt dntfctn dt ws cdd by th Cntr fr ductnl Tstng nd vlutn (CT) t th Unvrsty prr t rlsng th dtst t th rsrchr. N ndvdul tst scr r dmgrphc dt culd b lnkd t ny prtculr studnt. Cnfdntlty f th tst subjcts nd tst tms ws mntnd thrughut th nlyss f th ssssmnt dt nd nlyss f tst frms.Th dt nd ccss t th tst frms wr prvdd by th KU Cntr fr ductnl Tstng nd vlutn. Th dt ws nlyzd usng BM SPSS Sttstcs 16.0 sftwr pckg.Thrtcl Frmwrkcnmc ductn rsrch hs lng trdtn f usng quntttv rsrch mthds t nlyz dtrmnnts f cnmcs lrnng (Mllr & VnFssn, 2008). Snc th 1960s, rsrchrs hv usd prductn-f-lrnng functns s mdls fr nlyss f cgntv utput (Bckr, 1983). ductnl prductn functns, bsd n prductn functn frmwrk, r mthmtcl rltnshp tht rflcts th prcss f trnsfrmtn f nputs (ductnl rsurcs) nt utputs (utcms f ductn) (Chn & Gsk, 1990). Cnvntnl prductn functns whr studnt chvmnt, usully msurd by multpl- chc tst scr, s functn f mjr grups (vctrs) f nputs, typclly studnt, tchr, curs, schl r dstrct chrctrstcs, r ftn usd n th fld f cnmc ductn (Bckr, 1983; Ssn t l., 1997; Wtts, 1985; Wlstd & Spr, 1989; Buttrs, srt & Thmpsn, 2013). Th stt ssssmnt prmttd th frmultn f th fllwng prductn functn mdl t utlz n th currnt rsrch:

cnmcs Scr = (studnt chrctrstcs: Gndr, thncty, SS, ntrctnffcts)Multpl lnr rgrssn nlyss bsd n th prductn functn mdl s th mst cmmn mthd f stmtng th rltnshp btwn studnt chvmnt nd ductnl nputs (Bckr & Wlstd, 1987). n rdr t cntrl fr th studnt-lvl ndpndnt vrbls (ndvdul studnt chrctrstcs), multpl rgrssn nlyss ws usd t nlyz th studnt scrs n th cnmcs prt f th 2012 scl studs stt ssssmnt. Th fllwng mprcl mdl ws stmtd fr gnrlzng th functnl rltnshp btwn studnt tst scr, th dpndnt vrbl (Y), nd st f studnt-lvl ndpndnt vrbls nd ntrctn trms (Xk):Y = 0 + 1 *X1 + 2 *X2 + 3 *X3 + 4 *X1* X2 + 5 *X1* X3 + 6 *X2* X3 + 7 * X1*X2* X3 + u == 0 + 1 *X1 + 2 *X2 + 3 *X3 + 4 *X4 + 5 *X5 + 6 *X6 + 7 * X7 + u, whrX1 - studnt gndr,X2 studnt rc/thncty,X3 - studnt sc-cnmc sttus (SS),X4 - tw-wy ntrctn, (studnt gndr * studnt thncty), X5 - tw-wy ntrctn, (studnt gndr * studnt SS),X6 - tw-wy ntrctn, (studnt thncty * studnt SS),X7 thr-wy ntrctn, (studnt thncty * studnt thncty* studnt SS),1, 2, 3 - rgrssn cffcnts fr ndpndnt vrbls f studnt gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus,

4, 5, 6, 7 - rgrssn cffcnts fr ntrctn trms btwn nd mng prdctrs f studnt gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus,u ndpndnt rsdul r rrr trm. Fgur 2Vrbl Cdng nd VlusVlusNumbr; Cdd by CT Cntnuus, NumbrCntnuus, NumbrCntnuus, NumbrCntnuus, NumbrCntnuus, Numbr0 = fml; 1 = ml0 =mrcn ndn; 1 = sn; 2 = Blck; 3 = Hspnc; 4 = Wht; 5 = Multrcl; 6= Pcfc slndr0 = n ssstnc; 1 = rducd lunch;2 = fr lunch rcpnt0 = Wht; thr = 10 = n fr/rducd lunch; 1 =fr/rducd lunch lgblStudnt-lvl chrctrstcs ncludd n th multpl rgrssn nlyss r ctgrcl vrbls nd thus qulttv n ntur. Thy wr rprsntd s dummy vrbls usng numrcl cds s shwn n Fgur 2. Prvus rsrch hs ndctd tht crtn studnt-lvl chrctrstcs crrlt btwn ch thr nd thr ntrctns cn b rflctd n th rgrssn mdl t ncrprt thr jnt ffct n studnt scrs n ddtn t thr sprt ffcts (Brg & Strnhn, 2002; Swp nd Schmtt, 2006; Krdsh, 2007; Vrmnt Dprtmnt f ductn, 2007; Mllr & Rdgrs, 2008). Thrfr, dummy vrbls nd ntrctn trms wr ncludd n th rgrssn mdl s ndpndnt vrbls. Th dpndnt

vrbl n th study ws studnt prfrmnc n cnmcs, s msurd by prcnt crrct scr n ch frm.Rsrch DsgnDu t th fct tht th ssssmnt dt ws btnd frm th KU CT, th rsrch dsgn f ths study s nn-xprmntl. t rld n sttstcl nlyss f th xstng dt nd dd nt mply ny furthr ntrvntn r ssgnmnt t dffrnt cndtns.Dt nlyssKnss scl studs ssssmnt msurd studnt undrstndng f th bnchmrks nd ndctrs n fur cr scl studs sub-dscplns: hstry, cvcs/gvrnmnt, ggrphy, nd cnmcs.Du t lw nd vryng numbrs f tst tms n ch sub-dscpln, th rw scrs wr trnsfrmd nt prcntg pnts n rdr t xpnd th rng f studnt scrs (dpndnt) vrbls vlu frm zr t hundrd. s rsult, th ndpndnt vrbl cffcnts msurd th ffct f chngs n crrspndng vrbls n th prcntg f th ttl pssbl crrct nswrs fr th sub-dscpln nd t cmpr studnt scrs crss sub- dscplns (ult & Rutmn, 1978).Rsrch qustn nT dtrmn hw wll studnts prfrmd n th cnmcs subtst nd thr lvl f undrstndng f spcfc cncpts, dt nlyss cnsstd f dscrptv sttstcs, ncludng mn, mdn, md, nd stndrd dvtn nd frquncy dstrbutns fr ch tst st n ch grd lvl.T dtrmn rltv studnt undrstndng f spcfc cncpts, tms wr vlutd fr th cncpts tstd nd msurs f mn tst dffculty fr th cnmcs prtn nd mn tm nd cncpt r dffculty wr clcultd (Spr & Wlstd, 1988; Buttrs & srt,

2011). Mn tst dffculty s dfnd by Spr nd Wlstd (1988) s th prcnt f crrct nswrs crss th tst, n currnt cs, th prcnt f crrct nswrs n th cnmcs sub-tst. Th tm dffculty s dfnd s th prcntg f studnts wh nswrd th qustn crrctly (Crwl, Kmnsky, & Pdll, 1997). n thr wrds, t dmnstrts th rltv dffculty f ndvdul qustns n cntrst t thr qustns nd t th vrll tst. Snc tw tst tms ssssd studnt knwldg fr ch ndctr, mn cncpt dffculty, usd by Spr nd Wlstd (1988) nd Krdsh (2007), ws stmtd fr ch cncpt r fr th cnmcssub-tst. Mn cncpt dffculty s n vrg vlu f th tm dffculty ndcs fr cncpt r cncpt r. Th hghr th vlu, th hghr th lvl f undrstndng studntsdmnstrtd n tht prtculr cncpt r. Th mn cncpt dffculty ndx ws cmprd t th mn tst dffculty crss th qustns n th cnmcs prt f th tst. Ths cmprsns llwd dstngushng btwn cncpt rs rprsntng hghr nd lwr lvls f dffculty fr studnts rltv t th vrll tst dffculty.Rsrch qustn twT dtrmn hw wll studnts prfrmd n cnmcs subtst tms s cmprd t th vrll scl studs scr nd th sub-tsts tms n cvcs/gvrnmnt, hstry, nd ggrphy, dscrptv nlyss wr usd, ncludng mns, mdns, mds, nd stndrd dvtns fr th fur scl studs subjct sub-dscplns tsts nd fr th vrll scl studs ssssmnt fr tstd grd lvls. Th msurs wr ls clcultd sprtly by gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus, nd mn dffrncs wr rprtd.Rsrch qustn thrT nlyz th ffcts f dmgrphc fctrs such s gndr, rc/thncty, sc- cnmc sttus, nd thr ntrctn trms n th chvmnt scrs n cnmcs, multpl

rgrssn nlyss ws utlzd. Multpl rgrssn mdls hv numbr f dvntgs s mthds f nlyss, s thy mk xplct ssumptns, prvd stmts f ffct szs, nd llw fr th smultnus cntrl f svrl ndpndnt vrbls (Bckr, 2001).Rsrch qustn furKnwldg f cnmcs hlps bttr undrstnd thr scl scncs. Krdsh (2007)lstd numbr f cnmc cncpts fund n nn-cnmcs tms n th tst frms f th2005 Knss Scl Studs ssssmnt. Du t ntrdscplnry ntur f th scl studs stndrds n th stt f Knss, t ws ssumd tht cnmcs-rltd trms nd cncpts wr prsnt n nn-cnmcs prts f th 2012 Hstry-Gvrnmnt tst, s wll. T cmpr studnt prfrmnc n thr scl studs tms rqurng cnmcs knwldg wthn ch sub-dscpln t th nn-cnmcs tst tms nd th cnmcs subtst, qulttv nlyss f tst tms t dtrmn whch nn-cnmcs tms rqurd cnmcs knwldg ws fllwd by quntttv nlyss f th scrs n th grups f tst tms. n rdr t btn rsnbl ndctn f cnmcs-rltd cntnt crss scl studs ssssmnt, ch tst frm ws nlyzd t uncvr qustns tht rfrrd t cnmcs r mpld undrstndng f cnmc trms nd prncpls n th nn-cnmcs sub-dscplns. Th sub-dscpln tst tms wr studd by thr cnmc ductn spclsts t dntfy such qustns. lst f cnmc cncpts nd rltd trms ws usd s rfrnc gud by th rtrs. Th lst ws dptd frm th 51 ky cnmc cncpts s spcfd by th Cuncl fr cnmc ductn(www.cunclfrcnd.rg) nd th mtrls frm th wbst f th Lbrty Fund1 thtcmbn th ky cncpts wth rltd trms wth th Vluntry Ntnl Cntnt Stndrds ncnmcs (C, 2010).1 http://www.cnlb.rg/lbrry/Tpcs/HghSchl/NtnlStndrds.html#stndrd2

Rlblty crss rtrs ws dtrmnd usng cndtnl prcntg grmnt, whr t lst 2/3 f th rtrs n grmnt dtrmnd hw th tm ws lbld (Hrtmnn, 1977; Fry, 2006). f t lst tw f th thr rtrs grd tht tst tm mpld cnmcs knwldg, th tm ws ssgnd vlu f 1, thrws t ws ssgnd vlu f 0, crtng grupng vrbl.ftr hstry, ggrphy, nd cvcs/gvrnmnt tst qustns tht rfrrd t cnmcs wr dntfd, cmprtv nlyss f studnt prfrmnc n ths qustns nd th nn- cnmcs qustns ws cnductd. Tw smpl t-tsts, s spcl css f th n-wy nlyss f vrnc (NV) fr tw-grup mns, gnrtd nswrs t bth prts f rsrchqustn fur.n Prt , studnt scrs n th subgrup f nn-cnmcs tst tms tht rqurd cnmcs knwldg wr cmprd t th grup f tms tht dd nt rqur cnmcs knwldg n ch nn-cnmcs sub-dscpln. Fr ch tst frm, tw nw vrbls wr cmputd fr ch sub-dscpln. Th frst vrbl, wth_cn, ws n vrg f th studnt nswrs t th qustns wthn ch nn-cnmcs sub-dscpln tht cntnd rfrncs t cnmcs. Th scnd vrbl, n_cn, ws n ndvdul mn scr fr th grup f qustns tht cntnd n rfrncs t cnmcs. Th cn_n_cn, whch ws crtd by mrgng css f tw nw vrbls, srvd s dpndnt vrbl n ch sub-dscpln; grupng vrbl wth tw lvls, 0 fr cnmcs nd 1 fr n-cnmcs, dstngushd btwn studnt scrs n tw grups f tms.n prt B, th prcnt-crrct scrs fr ll cnmcs-rltd tms crss th nn- cnmcs sub-dscplns wr clcultd nd thy wr cmprd t th prcnt-crrct scrs fr th cnmcs sub-tst. grupng vrbl dstngushd btwn studnt scrs n th

grup f nn-cnmcs tms tht rqurd cnmcs knwldg (=1) nd th studnt scr n cnmcs tms (=0).Th t tst, p-vlu, cnfdnc ntrvl, nd ffct sz wr rprtd fr ch st f tw grups. Ths cmprsns llwd vlutng whthr studnts prfrmd bttr r wrs n th dsgntd cnmcs qustns vrsus nn-dsgntd cnmcs tms n thr scl studs sub-dscplns.n summry, ths chptr hs prvdd n vrvw f th thrtcl frmwrk, th dt nd th mthds utlzd t gnrt nswrs t th rsrch qustns. Chptr 4 prvds th utcms nd fndngs f th dt nlyss.

CHPTR VDT NLYSS ND FNDNGSThs study nvstgtd th fllwng rsrch qustns n rdr t stmt th lvl f studnt undrstndng f th cnmc cncpts s dmnstrtd n th 2012 Knss Hstry- Gvrnmnt ssssmnt:1. Hw wll d studnts n grds 6, 8, nd hgh schl prfrm n th cnmcs subtst f th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt? Wht s thr lvl f undrstndng f th spcfc cnmc cncpts?2. Hw wll d studnts prfrm n th cnmcs subtst tms s cmprd t th vrll scl studs scr nd th sub-tsts tms n cvcs/gvrnmnt, hstry, nd ggrphy?3. Hw s studnt prfrmnc n cnmcs rltd t studnt gndr, thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus?4. Wht s th studnt cmprtv prfrmnc n thr scl studs tms rqurng cnmcs knwldg wthn ch sub-dscpln s cmprd t th nn- cnmcs tst tms nd th cnmcs subtst?Th chptr s dvdd by th rsrch qustns, nd th fndngs undr ch qustn r rgnzd by tstd grd lvls nd n turn by tst sts.Th 2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt ws dmnstrd t studnts n grds sx, ght nd hgh schl. Th numbr f tst frms nd th ttl numbr f qustns vrd by th grd lvl. Thr wr fur prlll ssssmnt frms dmnstrd t th studnts wth n spcl ductn nds n grds sx nd ght. t ch grd lvl, thr wr tw bs nd tw shuffl frms tht cntnd th sm st f qustns s ch f th

bs frms prsntd n dffrnt rdrs. Fr th purpss f ths nlyss, th qustns n th shuffl frms wr r-rgnzd s ll qustns n ch frm wr n th sm rdr, nd thn css wr mrgd nt th rspctv bs fls t frm tw sts f dt fr th ch f th grd lvls. Studnt prfrmnc utcms n Grds 6 nd 8 r rprtd s prcnt-crrct scr sprtly s sts nd sts B. Th cnmcs subtsts cnsstd f ght qustns t th sxth grd nd tn qustns t th ghth grd lvls, whch rprsntd 1/6 f th scl studs tsts t ch f ths grd lvls. ttl f 15,816 sxth-grdrs tk st , nd15,886 tk st B. n ghth grd, 15,825 nd 15,745 studnts tk sts nd B rspctvly.t th uppr-grd lvl, hgh schl KS Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt cnsstd f tw prts: Wrld Fcus nd U.S Fcus. Bsd n lcl currculum nd dstrcts dcsns, studnts n trgtd grds, whch wr Grds 10 nd 12, wr ssgnd t cmplt thr n r bth prts f th hgh schl ssssmnt. Wrld Fcus, r prt , f th hgh schl tst cnsstd f 30 qustns, mng whch 6 wr n ntrntnl cnmcs cncpts. Wrld Fcus ws dsgnd t fllw th wrld hstry curs tht s usully tught durng frshmn r sphmr yrs f hgh schl. Ths tst ws tkn by 10,171 tnth-grdrs nd3,554 twlfth-grdrs. U.S. Fcus cnsstd f 29 qustns, mng whch sx wr n U.S.- rltd cnmcs. Ths prt fllwd th U.S. hstry nd U.S. gvrnmnt curss tht r usully ffrd durng th junr nd snr yrs f hgh schl n Knss; t ws tkn by496 tnth-grdrs nd 5,019 twlfth-grdrs.Hgh schl studnts wh tk th U.S. r Wrld Fcus tsts tk n f thr frms. Thr wr n bs nd tw shuffl frms n ch tst. Bfr th dt nlyss, hgh schl dt sts wr ls sprtd by frms, thn th tst qustns wr rrdrd t b th sm crss ll frms, nd th fls wr mrgd nt n fr ch fcus st. s fr th lmntry

grd lvls, th hgh schl rsults r rprtd s prcnt-crrct scrs fr U.S. Fcus ndWrld Fcus. Whn pprprt, th rsults r dsggrgtd by th grd lvl. Tbl 1Smpl Dscrptv Sttstcs by Grd LvlVrblGrd 6(%)Grd 8(%)Hgh SchlU.S. Fcus(%)Hgh SchlWrld Fcus(%)Ttl(%)

n = 31,702n =35,150n = 5,515n = 13,725N = 86,093

Studnt Gndr

Fml49.549.949.850.250.0

Ml50.550.150.249.850.0

Ttl100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0

Rc/thncty

Ntv mrcn1.21.21.31.21.2

sn2.62.52.42.82.6

Blck5.25.45.64.85.3

Hspnc15.314.712.912.513.9

Wht71.171.973.874.672.9

Mult-Rcl4.44.23.84.14.1

Pcfc slndr0.10.20.20.10.2

Ttl

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Studnt SS

Hgh SS57.360.267.666.963.0

Lw SS42.739.832.433.137.0

Ttl100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0

Tbl 1 prvds th dscrptv sttstcs fr th ppultn f Knss studnts sprtd fr ch grd lvl by gndr, rc/thncty, nd sc-cnmc sttus. Th ppultn cnsstd f ttl f 86,093 studnts wth n spcl ductn nds wh tk prt n th 2012 KS Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt.

t ch grd lvl, thr wr nrly qul numbrs f bys nd grls ssssd. ccrdng t nw fdrl nd stt rgultns2, studnt rc/thncty ws sprtd nt svn ctgrs: Ntv mrcn, Blck, Wht, Mult-Rcl, Pcfc slndr, nd Hspnc. Nrly 73% f ll ssssd studnts dntfd thmslvs s Wht. Hspnc studnts frmd th scnd lrgst thnc grup (13.9%), fllwd by Blck (5.3%), Mult- Rcl (4.1%), nd sn (2.6%). nly 1.2% f studnts rprtd thr rc s Ntv mrcns nd 0.2% ndctd thy wr Pcfc slndrs. n trms f sccnmc sttus,63% f studnts cm frm hghr ncm fmls (dd nt prtcpt n th fr nd rducd lunch prgrm) nd 37% frm lwr ncm fmls (prtcptd n th fr nd rducd lunch prgrm). Th prcntg f studnts wh prtcptd n th lunch prgrm ws hghr n lwr grds (43% nd 40% n Grds 6 nd 8, rspctvly) nd lwr t th hgh schl lvl (33%). t s pssbl tht sm hgh schl studnts wh r lgbl r nt sgnng up fr th prgrm, prhps du t stgm mng thr prs.Rlblty sttstcs by grd lvl nd tst frm fr th cnmcs tst nd th vrll scl studs (H-G) tst r tbultd n ppndx . Crnbchs lph rngd .36 n hgh schl U.S. Fcus tst t .64 n ghth grd. Lw rlblty msur n th cnmcs prt f th tst mght b ttrbutd t smll numbr f qustns n th cnmcs tst.Th rmndr f th chptr prvds th utcms f th dt nlyss nd thfndng rltd t ch rsrch qustn.2 Th dcumnts rltd t Rc/thncty Rgultn Chngs r vlbl t http://www.ksd.rg/DtRprts/DtRsurcs/RcndthnctyRgultns.spx.

Rsrch Qustn nHw wll d studnts n Grds 6, 8 nd hgh schl prfrm n th cnmcs subtsts f th2012 Knss Hstry-Gvrnmnt ssssmnt. Wht s th lvl f undrstndng f th spcfc cnmc cncpts?Th fndngs ddrssng rsrch qustn n r dvdd nt tw prts. Th frst prt rprts th vrg scrs chvd by studnts n th cnmcs prtn f th KS Hstry- Gvrnmnt ssssmnt. Th scnd prt s dvtd t th nlyss f th undrstndng f spcfc cnmc cncpts ssssd wthn th tst. Mn cncpt nd mn tst dffculty ndcs wr usd n rdr t ddrss ths prt f th qustn.Prt . Studnt Prfrmnc n cnmcsTh rsults f th cnmcs qustns n th scl studs stt tsts r rprtd s mn prcntgs crrct n ch grd-lvl sctn blw.Grd 6Tbl 2 prsnts msurs f cntrl tndncy nd vrblty f th cnmcs scrs n Grd 6, by tst st.Tbl 2Grd 6: Mns, Mds, Mdns, Stndrd Dvtns, nd Skwnss fr cnmcs Sub-tst(Prcnt Crrct)Tst frms stNMnMdnMdSDSkwnss

615,81669.4175.0087.5022.51-.488

6B15,88666.2875.0075.0022.45-.411