<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The present research investigates gender gaps in the results of secondary school exit exams (Matura) in mathematics in Poland in 2015. The analysis shows that, in the basic level exam, males are highly overrepresented at the upper end of the score distribution. The same pattern did not exist in the extended-level Matura. Two explanations are offered here. The differences are driven by gender self-selection in high school programs. Students who decide on maths-related tracks have more maths lessons than other students. Secondly, a student who takes the extended Matura also has to take the basic Matura exam. As a result, the population of students taking the basic Matura is highly differentiated in terms of maths competence and motivation. Additionally, the analysis of differential item functioning (DIF) shows that only a few items were flagged as having DIF.</p></abstract>

The present research investigates gender gaps in the results of secondary school exit exams (Matura) in mathematics in Poland in 2015. The analysis shows that, in the basic level exam, males are highly overrepresented at the upper end of the score distribution. The same pattern did not exist in the extended-level Matura. Two explanations are offered here. The differences are driven by gender self-selection in high school programs. Students who decide on maths-related tracks have more maths lessons than other students. Secondly, a student who takes the extended Matura also has to take the basic Matura exam. As a result, the population of students taking the basic Matura is highly differentiated in terms of maths competence and motivation. Additionally, the analysis of differential item functioning (DIF) shows that only a few items were flagged as having DIF.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HIGH-STAKES MATHS TESTING. FINDINGS FROM POLAND

Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HIGH-STAKES MATHS TESTING. FINDINGS FROM POLAND"}

The present research investigates gender gaps in the results of secondary school exit exams (Matura) in mathematics in Poland in 2015. The analysis shows that,...

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HIGH-STAKES MATHS TESTING. FINDINGS FROM POLAND

Data publikacji: 31 paź 2017

Zakres stron: 205 - 226

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/slgr-2017-0025

Słowa kluczowe
maths, gender, Poland, Matura, DIF, Mantel-Haenszel

© Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HIGH-STAKES MATHS TESTING. FINDINGS FROM POLAND

Data publikacji: 31 paź 2017

Zakres stron: 205 - 226

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/slgr-2017-0025

Słowa kluczowemaths, gender, Poland, Matura, DIF, Mantel-Haenszel

© Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Słowa kluczowe
maths, gender, Poland, Matura, DIF, Mantel-Haenszel