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September 10, 20250 citations

Tracking fraction knowledge development using grade-appropriate assessment

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ISIsabella Starling‐AlvesXLXiangyi LiaoQHQi Huang

Key Points

  • Fraction knowledge significantly predicts higher-order mathematics performance in children.
  • Internal consistency and concurrent validity were confirmed, with strong fit to a one-dimensional model.
  • Item Response Theory analysis showed a shift in item discrimination from magnitudes to operations as grade increases.
  • Developmental improvements were observed from 2nd to 3rd grade, correlating with curriculum benchmarks.

Abstract

Fraction knowledge predicts higher-order mathematics. Valid measures are crucial for understanding its developmental trajectory. This accelerated longitudinal study designed and validated grade-appropriate versions of the Fraction Knowledge Assessment (FKA) and examined children's development from 2nd to 6th grade. Methods: We measured the fraction knowledge of 342 children. We assessed FKAs reliability, validity, and factor structure and used Item Response Theory (IRT) to calibrate item difficulty and link across versions. Then, we investigated longitudinal changes in children’s fraction knowledge. Results and Conclusion: All FKAs had good internal consistency and concurrent validity, and fit well with a one-dimensional model. IRT analyses revealed a shift from fraction magnitude items discriminating students in early grades, to operation items discriminating students in advanced grades. Development was more pronounced from 2nd to 3rd than from 5th to 6th grade, aligning with local curricula. We share the FKA versions to support further research and educational practice.

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Cite This Study

Starling‐Alves et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68c195649b7b07f3a061960chttps://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/wc9dz_v2
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