The relationship between allocated instructional time and student achievement in high school economics

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Authors
Poindexter, Betty S.
Advisor
Wagner, Ivan D.
Issue Date
1985
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (D. Ed.)
Department
Department of Educational Administration and Supervision
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the achievement of adult high school students enrolled in a one-semester economics course allocated 60 hours of instruction to the achievement of regular high school students in the same course that was allocated 73 hours of instruction.From three large high schools in Indiana offering both regular high school and adult high school credit programs, a sample of 178 students was selected. One case was dropped from the study, reducing the sample size to 177.The structure of the available adult education delivery system did not permit a direct comparison of adult high school credit classes with differing instructional time allotments.As a result, the achievement comparison was made between adult high school and regular high school students. To control for possible initial differences between the two groups of students with regard to academic aptitude, the Test of Cognitive Stills was administered.The Test of Economic Literacy Form A was selected as a pretest to measure each student's prior knowledge of economics. The Test of Economic Literacy Form B was administered at the completion of the course to measure the achievement gain.A two-by-two analysis of covariance was used to statistically analyze the data.FindingsThe null hypothesis was tested for significance at the .05 level. The null hypothesis of no difference was not rejected, and the following conclusion was made:ConclusionThe allocation of thirteen additional hours of classroom instructional time to senior high economics classes did not produce a significant gain in achievement.