This paper is from Session 2A: Learners’ first experiences of handling data — focusing on 7 to 13 year olds

which comes under Topic 2: Statistics education at the school level

Other papers under session 2A ... 2A2: Does context expertise make a difference when dealing with data? 2A3: Linking problems, conclusions and evidence: primary students’ early... 2A4: Engaging young children in informal statistical inference

(Monday 12th, 14:00-16:00)

National testing of data handling in years 3, 5 and 7 in Australia

Presenter

• Steven Nisbet (Griffith University, Australia)

Abstract

This paper provides a critical analysis of the data-handling items contained in the 2008 Australian national Years 3, 5, and 7 numeracy tests from a number of perspectives, namely, congruence with the concept of numeracy, alignment with the Australian National Statements of Learning for Mathematics (Curriculum Corporation, 2006), and alignment with the Statistical Thinking Framework developed by Jones et al. (2001). Overall the test items reveal a limited focus with respect to item content, type of tasks, and method of response. The majority of items limit students to analysing data presented in tables and graphs, with some items requiring interpretation of the data. Gaps in the data-handling skills required by students to answer the questions are identified.

Other papers under session 2A ... 2A2: Does context expertise make a difference when dealing with data? 2A3: Linking problems, conclusions and evidence: primary students’ early... 2A4: Engaging young children in informal statistical inference