Exploring influential factors on elementary and middle school students’ reading practice using random forests

Objectives The purposes of this study factors affecting elementary and middle school students’ reading practice were explored using the random forest technique. Methods For this purpose, data from the 13th year (sixth grade of elementary school) and the 14th year (first year of middle school) of the Korean Children's Panel were used. Using reading practice as a response variable and 111 explanatory variables from household, parent, child, and school/private education surveys, factors affecting their reading practice were explored based on the importance index, and a partial dependence plot (PDP) was used. We used this to understand the relationship of influence. Results As a result of examining the top 10 Mean Decrease Accuracy (MDA) predicting reading performance, in the case of 6th grade elementary school students, the results were achievement pressure, learning activities, teacher relationship, strict rules and directive atmosphere, overall happiness, academic stress, peer relationships, and school rules. , physical self-image, and self-esteem appeared in that order. In the case of first-year middle school students, the order was learning activities, achievement pressure, school rules, peer relationships, overall happiness, academic stress, strict rules and directive atmosphere, teacher relationship, physical self-image, and teacher support. Conclusions Factors that affect elementary and middle school students' reading practice are generally more influenced by the school environment than their parents, and the fact that parents' achievement pressure, school adaptation, and strict rules and directive atmosphere are predicted to affect reading practice. It can be seen that coercion has an effect to some extent. As for other variables, there was a difference in what was predicted by ‘self-esteem’ in the 6th grade of elementary school and ‘teacher’s support’ in the 1st grade of middle school.