| dc.description.abstract | This study was carried out to establish the reliability and content validity of
commercial tests and their correlation to pupils‟
performance in mathematics: the case
of public primary schools, Isinya District, Kajiado County. It involved nine teachers
who
were
the key i
nformants selected from different schools and
were
actively
involved in mathematics teaching in class 8 or
held
re
sponsibilities
like mathematics
panel heads, in their schools in Isinya
District.
The teachers analyzed the n
ine
commercial papers used for research in this project, and also indicated the
Mathematics mean scores attained
by the class 8 pupils
in the years
2013 and 2012.
A mixed descriptive survey research design was app
lied and data was collected
thro
ugh questionnaires with key informants. Quantitative data analysis was applied to
survey data collected via questionnaires. The frequency distribution was de
scribed
while
data from
questionnaires
was
qualitatively analyzed using tables and Fleiss
Kappa method. The findings of the study revealed that the poor reliability and content
validity
of commercial papers compared to
K.C.P.E,
had an e
ffec
t on the subject
mean scores leading to wrong conclusions‟ by the mathematics teachers
or the school
administration.
Other factors like training in test construction have a varying
influence
on the validity and reliability of Commercial tests. Experienced teachers who had
prior training in test development (33.3%)
applied a
number of this knowledge when
analyzing the commercial papers
. T
his was evident from the findings of the study
that
commercial pap
ers
006,
008
and 009
score rated low
with k= 0.115
,
0.157 and 0.162
respectively. The commercial exams mean scores
did not have any correlation with
the standardized exam K.C.P.E
which had an a
verage mean difference of 6.2%, i
t was
concluded that commercial tests are gene
rally invalid and unreliable. Due to
lack of
test construction knowledge by teachers as revealed by the study (66%). This is a
contributing factor for the teachers choosing to use commercial tests.
The study
recommended
research could be done on reliability and content validity of
commercial
papers and their correlation to
pupils‟ performance in other subjects
.
A
further research may be done to unveil the reasons that hinder public schools from
purchasing standard set exams. | en_US |
