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This three-article dissertation addresses three different yet interrelated topics: language testing, assessment, and evaluation. The first article (Saudi Student Placement into ESL Program Levels: Issues beyond Test Criteria) addresses a crucial yet understudied issue concerning why lower-level ESL classes typically contain a disproportionate number of Saudi students. Based on data obtained from different stakeholders, the findings revealed that one-third of the study students intentionally underperformed on ESL placement tests. However, ESL administrators participating in this study provided contradicting findings. The second article explores the efficacy of (Integrating Self-assessment Techniques into L2 Classroom Assessment Procedures) by examining the accuracy of CEFR self-assessment rubric compared to students' TOEFL scores, and the extent to which gender and levels of language proficiency cause any potential score underestimation. By obtaining data from 21 ESL students attending the Center for English as a Second Language at University of Arizona, the findings revealed no statistically significant correlations between participants' self-assessed scores and their TOEFL scores. However, the participants reported that the CEFR self-assessment rubric is accurate in measuring their levels of language proficiency. On the other hand, the third article (Quality Assurance and Accreditation as Forms for Language Program Evaluation: A Case Study of Two EFL Departments in A Saudi University) provides a simulated program evaluation based on an integrated set of standards of the NCAAA (the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment) and CEA (the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation). The findings indicated that the standards of the mission, curriculum, student learning outcomes, and program development, planning, and review, were partially met, whereas the standards of teaching strategies, assessment methods, and student achievement were not.

No description available.

The thesis summarizes methods used to finding material characteristics of reinforced concrete structures, treatment plan of diagnostic survey on the basis of visual inspection of the bridge, documentation of diagnosticated defects and condition assessment of the bridge.

The aim of this thesis is to ascertain whether and to what extent English language lessons at Czech secondary schools are affected by the so-called washback effect related to the final leaving examination ("maturita"), and to attempt to define how this potential negative impact may be minimized. The washback effect phenomenon occurs when a (language) course is concluded by a final examination, and describes how such an examination influences the actual curriculum, the instruction as such, and all the participants. Applied linguistics offers a number of both theoretical and empirical studies conducted worldwide which focus on the particular aspects of the washback effect occurring during language examinations. This thesis strives to follow up on the findings of these empirical studies and apply them to the current centralised Czech form of the English "maturita" examination. The thesis was initially inspired by students' observations during English lessons at a Czech grammar school, which were a part of pedagogical education at the Faculty of Arts of the Charles University. After establishing the focus of the paper, preliminary research in the form of semi- structured interviews with four students in the final grades at Prague grammar schools was conducted. While this pre-research study allowed only...

<p dir="ltr">It has been shown that formative assessments can lead to improvements in the learning process. Cognitive Diagnostic Models (CDMs) are a powerful formative assessment tool that can be used to provide individuals with valuable information regarding skill mastery in educational settings. These models provide each student with a ``skill mastery profile'' that shows the level of mastery they have obtained with regard to a specific set of skills. These profiles can be used to help both students and educators make more informed decisions regarding the educational process, which can in turn accelerate learning for students. However, despite their utility, these models are rarely used with small sample sizes. One reason for this is that these models are often complex, containing many parameters that can be difficult to estimate accurately when working with a small number of observations. This work aims to contribute to and expand upon previous work to make CDMs more accessible for a wider range of educators and students.</p><p dir="ltr">There are three main small sample statistical problems that we address in this work: 1) accurate estimation of the population distribution of skill mastery profiles, 2) accurate estimation of additional model parameters for CDMs as well as improved classification of individual skill mastery profiles, and 3) improved selection of an appropriate CDM for each item on the assessment. Each of these problems deals with a different aspect of educational measurement and the solutions provided to these problems can ultimately lead to improvements in the educational process for both students and teachers. By finding solutions to these problems that work well when using small sample sizes, we make it possible to improve learning in everyday classroom settings and not just in large scale assessment settings.</p><p dir="ltr">In the first part of this work, we propose novel algorithms for estimating the population distribution of skill mastery profiles for a popular CDM, the Deterministic Inputs Noisy ``and'' Gate (DINA) model. These algorithms borrow inspiration from the concepts behind popular machine learning algorithms. However, in contrast to these methods, which are often used solely for prediction, we illustrate how the ideas behind these methods can be adapted to obtain estimates of specific model parameters. Through studies involving simulated and real-life data, we illustrate how the proposed algorithms can be used to gain a better picture of the distribution of skill mastery profiles for an entire population students, but can do so by only using a small sample of students from that population. </p><p dir="ltr">In the second part of this work, we introduce a new method for regularizing high-dimensional CDMs using a class of Bayesian shrinkage priors known as catalytic priors. We show how a simpler model can first be fit to the observed data and then be used to generate additional pseudo-observations that, when combined with the original observations, make it easier to more accurately estimate the parameters in a complex model of interest. We propose an alternative, simpler model that can be used instead of the DINA model and show how the information from this model can be used to formulate an intuitive shrinkage prior that effectively regularizes model parameters. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of parameter estimates for the more complex model, which in turn leads to better classification of skill mastery. We demonstrate the utility of this method in studies involving simulated and real-life data and show how the proposed approach is superior to other common approaches for small sample estimation of CDMs.</p><p dir="ltr">Finally, we discuss the important problem of selecting the most appropriate model for each item on assessment. Often, it is not uncommon in practice to use the same CDM for each item on an assessment. However, this can lead to suboptimal results in terms of parameter estimation and overall model fit. Current methods for item-level model selection rely on large sample asymptotic theory and are thus inappropriate when the sample size is small. We propose a Bayesian approach for performing item-level model selection using Reversible Jump Markov chain Monte Carlo. This approach allows for the simultaneous estimation of posterior probabilities and model parameters for each candidate model and does not require a large sample size to be valid. We again demonstrate through studies involving simulated and real-life data that the proposed approach leads to a much higher chance of selecting the best model for each item. This in turn leads to better estimates of item and other model parameters, which ultimately leads to more accurate information regarding skill mastery. </p>

Diversas pesquisas apontam para uma força da tradição imperando nas aulas de Língua Portuguesa. As teorias linguísticas chegam às escolas, mas abalam timidamente as aulas de gramática normativa tradicional. Nossa pesquisa segue um percurso que parte de nossa experiência profissional, de nossas indagações, para tentar investigar as nuances, dentro de um determinado contexto escolar, que dificultam o processo de aliar a teoria à prática na sala de aula. Partimos da hipótese de que este apego à tradição e o foco em atividades metalinguísticas pouco contribuem para uma aprendizagem significativa da língua. Tendo em vista testes nacionais e internacionais que apontam inadequações no uso da modalidade escrita da língua (leitura e produção escrita) pelos alunos que concluem o Ensino Fundamental e a ênfase histórica das aulas de Língua Portuguesa em atividades gramaticais de metalinguagem (nomenclaturas e classificações), questionamo-nos como as aulas de Língua Portuguesa podem ser reconfiguradas para potencializar o desenvolvimento das habilidades linguísticas dos alunos. Assim, realizamos um estudo qualitativo com duas professoras e suas cinco turmas de 9º ano, em uma escola pública municipal de São Paulo. As professoras nos forneceram dados por meio de relatos escritos de suas vivências, questionário e conversações informais cotidianas. Realizamos Avaliação Diagnóstica e Formativa (ADeF) do desempenho linguístico dos alunos, analisamos cadernos de alunos indicados pelas professoras como os melhores de suas turmas, planejamos e conduzimos uma oficina de linguagem (atividades linguísticas e epilinguísticas) com esses alunos. Alguns dos resultados indicam que as dificuldades das professoras em aliar teoria e prática estão relacionadas com a formação inicial e preliminar de cada uma e não necessariamente com a formação universitária e contínua em que se constitui o conhecimento teórico; levantamos fortes evidências de que a maneira como ensinamos reproduz ou é fortemente influenciada pela maneira como aprendemos; constatamos que a ausência da ADeF como prática efetiva se apresenta como um importante elemento que dificulta o conhecimento (por parte do professor) do que considerar no processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Ainda foi possível verificar que ADeF não compõe um critério de formação das turmas. Um professor pesquisador que busque aliar teoria e prática deve estar preparado para enfrentar inúmeros desafios e criar oportunidades para crianças e jovens se desenvolverem, preparando-se para se envolverem com as incertezas do cotidiano. Isso pode significar quão importantes serão, para professores e alunos, as novas vivências, por meio de oficinas contendo práticas mais eficazes para podermos nos desvencilhar de algumas amarras do passado, ou seja, da formação preliminar ou formatação preliminar a que fomos submetidos. / Previous knolwedge and school context underlying theory application to practice: diagnostic testing and formative assessment as a starting point to language and epilanguage activities Several studies point to the power of tradition that rules Portuguese classes. Language theories get to schools but little they influence or change the traditional, prescriptive grammar-based classes. This study starts off from our own professional experience and the questions arisen within a specific context in order to investigate the nuances that make it difficult to relate theory to practice in the classroom. We begin with the hypothesis that this attachment to theory and the focus on metalinguistic activities contribute very little to meaningful language learning. With national and international exams in mind, which point at the inappropriate use of the written language (reading and writing skills) students who are finishing middle school have, and also with the historical emphasis on metalinguistic grammar activities the Portuguese language classes have (exploring synthatic categories and classifying), we enquire how Portuguese language classes can be reconfigured to optimize students development of linguisctic skills. Thus,we undertook a qualitative study with two teachers and their five groups of 9th graders in a public municipal school in São Paulo. We gathered data from the teachers by means of written reports of teaching experience, questionnaire and daily informal talks. Students also took a diagnostic formative test (in Portuguese, ADeF) in order to have their linguistic performance assessed and we analized the notebooks of the best students in the classes, according to the teachers. We also planned and carried a language workshop with the students, which included linguistic and epilinguistic activities. Some results indicate that some of the difficulties teacher have in applying theory to practice are related to their schooling, not necessarily from their university undergraduation courses or continuing teacher education courses in which the theoretical knowledge is built. Strong evidence showed that the way we teach reproduce or is strongly influencced by the wahy we learn. We also xxx that the lack of ADef as an efficient practice is an important element that makes it difficult for teachers to decide to what to consider in the teachinglearning process.Moreover, it was possible to identify that ADeF is not an criteria used to form the groups. A teacher-researcher that aims to relate theory and practice should be prepared to face several challenges and create opportunities to children and youngsters, preparing them to deal with the daily uncertanties. This may mean how important new experiences will be to teacher and students in workshops that contain more efficient practices so that we can undo some of the knots from our past schooling or preliminary formatting

Diversas pesquisas apontam para uma força da tradição imperando nas aulas de Língua Portuguesa. As teorias linguísticas chegam às escolas, mas abalam timidamente as aulas de gramática normativa tradicional. Nossa pesquisa segue um percurso que parte de nossa experiência profissional, de nossas indagações, para tentar investigar as nuances, dentro de um determinado contexto escolar, que dificultam o processo de aliar a teoria à prática na sala de aula. Partimos da hipótese de que este apego à tradição e o foco em atividades metalinguísticas pouco contribuem para uma aprendizagem significativa da língua. Tendo em vista testes nacionais e internacionais que apontam inadequações no uso da modalidade escrita da língua (leitura e produção escrita) pelos alunos que concluem o Ensino Fundamental e a ênfase histórica das aulas de Língua Portuguesa em atividades gramaticais de metalinguagem (nomenclaturas e classificações), questionamo-nos como as aulas de Língua Portuguesa podem ser reconfiguradas para potencializar o desenvolvimento das habilidades linguísticas dos alunos. Assim, realizamos um estudo qualitativo com duas professoras e suas cinco turmas de 9º ano, em uma escola pública municipal de São Paulo. As professoras nos forneceram dados por meio de relatos escritos de suas vivências, questionário e conversações informais cotidianas. Realizamos Avaliação Diagnóstica e Formativa (ADeF) do desempenho linguístico dos alunos, analisamos cadernos de alunos indicados pelas professoras como os melhores de suas turmas, planejamos e conduzimos uma oficina de linguagem (atividades linguísticas e epilinguísticas) com esses alunos. Alguns dos resultados indicam que as dificuldades das professoras em aliar teoria e prática estão relacionadas com a formação inicial e preliminar de cada uma e não necessariamente com a formação universitária e contínua em que se constitui o conhecimento teórico; levantamos fortes evidências de que a maneira como ensinamos reproduz ou é fortemente influenciada pela maneira como aprendemos; constatamos que a ausência da ADeF como prática efetiva se apresenta como um importante elemento que dificulta o conhecimento (por parte do professor) do que considerar no processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Ainda foi possível verificar que ADeF não compõe um critério de formação das turmas. Um professor pesquisador que busque aliar teoria e prática deve estar preparado para enfrentar inúmeros desafios e criar oportunidades para crianças e jovens se desenvolverem, preparando-se para se envolverem com as incertezas do cotidiano. Isso pode significar quão importantes serão, para professores e alunos, as novas vivências, por meio de oficinas contendo práticas mais eficazes para podermos nos desvencilhar de algumas amarras do passado, ou seja, da formação preliminar ou formatação preliminar a que fomos submetidos. / Previous knolwedge and school context underlying theory application to practice: diagnostic testing and formative assessment as a starting point to language and epilanguage activities Several studies point to the power of tradition that rules Portuguese classes. Language theories get to schools but little they influence or change the traditional, prescriptive grammar-based classes. This study starts off from our own professional experience and the questions arisen within a specific context in order to investigate the nuances that make it difficult to relate theory to practice in the classroom. We begin with the hypothesis that this attachment to theory and the focus on metalinguistic activities contribute very little to meaningful language learning. With national and international exams in mind, which point at the inappropriate use of the written language (reading and writing skills) students who are finishing middle school have, and also with the historical emphasis on metalinguistic grammar activities the Portuguese language classes have (exploring synthatic categories and classifying), we enquire how Portuguese language classes can be reconfigured to optimize students development of linguisctic skills. Thus,we undertook a qualitative study with two teachers and their five groups of 9th graders in a public municipal school in São Paulo. We gathered data from the teachers by means of written reports of teaching experience, questionnaire and daily informal talks. Students also took a diagnostic formative test (in Portuguese, ADeF) in order to have their linguistic performance assessed and we analized the notebooks of the best students in the classes, according to the teachers. We also planned and carried a language workshop with the students, which included linguistic and epilinguistic activities. Some results indicate that some of the difficulties teacher have in applying theory to practice are related to their schooling, not necessarily from their university undergraduation courses or continuing teacher education courses in which the theoretical knowledge is built. Strong evidence showed that the way we teach reproduce or is strongly influencced by the wahy we learn. We also xxx that the lack of ADef as an efficient practice is an important element that makes it difficult for teachers to decide to what to consider in the teachinglearning process.Moreover, it was possible to identify that ADeF is not an criteria used to form the groups. A teacher-researcher that aims to relate theory and practice should be prepared to face several challenges and create opportunities to children and youngsters, preparing them to deal with the daily uncertanties. This may mean how important new experiences will be to teacher and students in workshops that contain more efficient practices so that we can undo some of the knots from our past schooling or preliminary formatting

<p>I collected two types of data throughout Weeks 1-14, with the original purpose of enhancing teaching and learning in ENGL620. The data included weekly assignment recordings and weekly surveys.</p><p>The primary data were students' speech data, which were collected through 14 weekly timed speaking assessments conducted from Week 1 to Week 14. These assignments were made available on Monday at midnight and were required to be completed and submitted by Sunday at midnight). The assignments were delivered, and responses were collected using Extempore (<a href="http://www.extemporeapp.com/" target="_blank">www.extemporeapp.com</a>), a website specifically designed to support oral English assessment and practice.</p><p>To conduct more comprehensive assessments of students’ performances, I incorporated two OEPT item types into the weekly assignments, including PROS and CONS (referred to as “PC”) and LINE GRAPH (referred to as “LG”). See Appendix B for the assignment items. The PC item presented challenging scenarios ITAs may encounter and required the test-takers to make a decision and discuss the pros and cons associated with the decision. An example item is “<i>Imagine you have a student who likes to come to your office hours but often talks about something irrelevant to the course. What would you do in this situation? What are the pros and cons associated with the decision?</i>”. The LG item asked students to describe a line graph illustrating two or three lines and provide possible reasons behind those trends. It can be argued that the two tasks targeted slightly different language abilities and background knowledge. The two item types were selected because they represented two key skills that the OEPT tests. The PC task focused on stating one’s decision and presenting an argument within a personal context, while the LG item assessed students’ ability to describe visual information and engage in discussions about broader topics such as gender equality, employment, economic growth, college policy. The PC and LG items are the most difficult items in the test (Yan et al., 2019). Therefore, progress in the two tasks can be a good indicator of improvement in the speaking skills required in this context. All the items were either taken from retired OEPT items or developed by the researcher following the specifications for OEPT item development. In particular, the design of the items aimed to avoid assuming prior specific knowledge and to ensure that students could discuss them without excessive cognitive load.</p><p>For each task, the students were allocated 2 minutes for preparation and a maximum of 2 minutes to deliver their response to the assigned topic. The responses were monologic, resembling short classroom presentations. During the preparation time, the participants were permitted to take notes. Each item only allowed for one attempt, which aimed to capture students’ online production of speech and their utilization of language resources. Table 2 presents the descriptive statistics of the responses.</p><p>The PC prompt was deliberately kept consistent for Week 2 and Week 12 randomly selected as time points at the beginning and end of the semester. This deliberate choice of using the same prompt at these two distinct stages serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides a valuable perspective for analyzing growth over time. This approach adds depth to the study results and conclusions by providing additional evidence and triangulation. Second, this approach addresses one of the specific challenges identified by Ortega and Iberr-Shea (2005) in studies involving multiple data collection points, as maintaining consistency in the prompt can minimize potential variations in task difficulty or topic-related factors.</p><p>After completing each speaking assignment, the students were requested to rate the level of difficulty for each item on a scale of 1 (Very Easy) to 5 (Very difficult). Additionally, they were asked to fill out a weekly survey using Qualtrics. The Qualtrics survey contained six questions related to the frequency of their English language use outside of the classroom and their focus on language skills in the previous and upcoming week. These questions were considered interesting as potential contributing factors to changes in their performances throughout the semester. Refer to Appendix C for the survey questions.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This dissertation is a two-study dissertation divided into two chapters focused broadly on the help-seeking experiences of racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In chapter one, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles that have studied barriers in help-seeking for racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism. A broad literature search across four databases was conducted (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, Education Resources Information Center, and Child Development and Adolescent Studies). The coding team identified 17 articles on help-seeking barriers for racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism. A thematic analysis was then used to synthesize the help-seeking barriers identified across these 17 studies. Four themes emerged from our findings: logistical barriers, provider competence, ASD literacy, and cultural stigma. We also provided clinical recommendations for healthcare providers working with families with racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism.</p><p dir="ltr">The second chapter was informed by the results found in chapter one. In chapter one, we found little research on Asian American caregiver perspectives on help-seeking barriers to autism services. Using caregiver perspectives, this research study sought to understand the help-seeking experiences of Asian American families. In this study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 10 Asian American caregivers with a child aged 3-17 diagnosed with ASD. Interviews were conducted virtually, audio recorded, transcribed, and coded by three researchers. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Our results indicated four themes in perceived barriers by Asian American caregivers of children with autism interviewees. Themes included: (1) logistical barriers, (2) provider level barriers competence, (3) ASD literacy, and (4) cultural stigma. We deliver clinical recommendations for providers to address the four barriers found in our study when working with Asian American families of children with ASD.</p>