Slovenian Validation of the Children’s Perceived Use of Self-Regulated Learning Inventory

The importance of self-regulated learning (SRL) has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and measures for assessing students’ self-regulation skills and knowledge are greatly needed. We present the results of the first thorough adaptation of the Children’s Perceived use of Self-Regulated Learning Inventory (CP-SRLI). The inventory, consisting of 15 scales measuring nine components of SRL, was administered to a sample of 541 Slovenian ninth graders. Confirmatory factor analyses supported internal structure validity of most components, but two components required some structural modifications. Internal consistency coefficients were acceptable for the majority of scale scores and were highly comparable to the original ones. While metric invariance across gender was confirmed, the scalar invariance of some scales needs further examination. Meaningful correlations with relevant externally assessed and self-reported self-regulation and school performance variables indicated good criterion validity of the inventory. The Slovenian version of the CP-SRLI thus proved to be a sufficiently valid and reliable instrument for assessing pupils’ learning self-regulation.

The opportunity structure of segregation: School choice and school segregation in Sweden

It is a matter of debate whether free school choice should lead to higher or lower levels of school segregation. We investigate how school choice opportunities affect school segregation utilizing geocoded Swedish population register data with information on 13 cohorts of ninth graders. We find that local school choice opportunities strongly affect the sorting of students across schools based on the parents’ country of birth and level of education. An increase in the number of local schools leads to higher levels of local segregation net of stable area characteristics, and time-varying controls for population structure and local residential segregation. In particular, the local presence of private voucher schools pushes school segregation upwards. The segregating impact of school choice opportunities is notably stronger in ‘native’ areas with high portions of highly educated parents, and in areas with low residential segregation. Our results point to the importance of embedding individual actors in relevant opportunity structures for understanding segregation processes.

Dimensional Latent Structure of Callous-Unemotional Traits in German Adolescents: Results from Taxometric Analyses

A large amount of research has addressed the issue of the latent status of psychiatric disorders and related phenomena. We used a new taxometric approach developed by Ruscio to examine the latent status of callous-unemotional (CU) traits in a large representative study of German ninth graders (N = 3,878). Rather than estimating a putative taxon base rate and using that estimate to generate the taxon comparative data, we estimated CCFI profiles with each base rate estimate between 2.5% and 97.5% in increments of 2.5%. Results of different indicator sets clearly suggested a dimensional solution. This finding is consistent with different studies showing the dimensionality of psychopathy in adolescents. In summary, the results of this study point to the need for critical reflection in defining a high-risk-group in the context of CU traits. However, further studies are necessary to substantiate this result in different samples using different measurement approaches.

Motivation and attitudes of Israeli Druze schoolchildren toward L2 Hebrew compared to Modern Standard Arabic

The present study examines the extent to which sociohistorical and political contexts influence the language attitudes of Israeli-Druze students to Hebrew as L2 and to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) in Arabic-speaking schools. It is a pioneer explorative research study that compares students’ attitudes toward diglossia and L2. Using the Foreign Languages Attitudes and Goals Survey (FLAGS), the attitudes of second, fifth, and ninth graders in two different Druze schools were assessed. The results indicate a positive attitude towards L2 Hebrew, not only for instrumental purposes but also for integration into Israel’s multicultural society. The positive attitude to L2 Hebrew is greater in older students, while the attitude to MSA becomes more negative among older students. Their low motivation to learn cultural heritage MSA may contribute to an understanding of how to teach it better or differently, as well as how to encourage future generations to learn it.

Normalization of Non-Drinking? Health, School Situation and Social Relations among Swedish Ninth Graders That Drink and Do Not Drink Alcohol

Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to the disease burden among adolescents. The adolescent alcohol abstainer is still often depicted as problematic in the research literature and in prominent theoretical frameworks. However, over the past two decades, there has been a marked trend of declining youth drinking in Sweden. The declining trend has led to a shift in the majority behaviour of youth, from drinking to non-drinking. It is plausible that this trend has also shifted the position of non-drinkers. This paper examines the position of non-drinkers in a nationally representative sample of Swedish adolescents. A survey was carried out in 2017 in 500 randomly selected schools. A total of 5549 respondents (15–16-year-olds) agreed to participate and answered the questionnaire. A minority (42.8%) had consumed alcohol during their lifetime. The results show that non-drinkers had better health and school performance when compared to drinkers. The results also showed that there were no differences in the social position between non-drinkers and drinkers. These findings are new and indicate a changed position of non-drinkers among Swedish adolescents. With non-drinking being the majority behaviour among Swedish adolescents this seems to have shifted the position of non-drinkers. There is a need for research on the long-term importance of not drinking during adolescence.

Unpacking The Relation Between Spatial Abilities and Creativity in Geometry

This study aims to examine the relation between spatial ability and creativity in Geometry. Data was collected from 94 ninth graders. Three spatial abilities were investigated: spatial visualization, spatial relations and closure flexibility. As for students' creativity, it was examined through a multiple solution problem in Geometry focusing on three components of creativity: fluency, flexibility, and originality. The results revealed that spatial visualization predicted flexibility and originality while closure flexibility predicted all creativity components. Additionally, it was deduced that auxiliary constructions played an essential role in the problem-solution process. Finally, further study opportunities for the teaching and learning of Geometry are discussed.

‘What did it achieve?’ – Students’ conceptions about the significance of the French Revolution

Este estudio presenta las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre las consecuencias y la relevancia histórica de la Revolución Francesa. Se recogieron datos de alumnos suizos-alemanes de noveno grado (de 15 a 16 años; N=22) mediante discusiones de grupo y entrevistas centradas en problemas. Los datos se analizaron mediante un método cualitativo reconstructivo. El pensamiento histórico de los alumnos está dominado por la creencia en el progreso y el presentismo. Los jóvenes se ven envueltos en la historia de la Revolución Francesa, que tiene una relevancia y significado simbólico y presente-futuro (Cercadillo). Así, construyen la relevancia histórica de forma ejemplar (Rüsen). Estos patrones explicativos están anclados en las ideas cotidianas y no en una comprensión científica. Una consecuencia de esto es que los profesores deben modelar cognitivamente el pensamiento mostrando cómo los historiadores narran la relevancia histórica de la Revolución Francesa, haciendo explícito este concepto de segundo orden y ofreciéndoles la oportunidad de conocer y analizar diferentes tipos de narrativa (Rüsen). This study presents students’ conceptions about the consequences and significance of the French Revolution. The data were collected from Swiss ninth graders (15 to 16 years old; N=22) by means of group discussions and problem-centred interviews. The data were evaluated using a reconstructive qualitative method. The students’ historical thinking is dominated by a belief in progress and paramount presentism. The adolescents feel entangled in the history of the French Revolution, it has a symbolic and present-future significance (Cercadillo). Thus, they construct historical significance in an exemplary way (Rüsen). These explanatory patterns are anchored in the everyday conceptions of the students and not in an academic understanding of history. Therefore, teachers should cognitively model learners’ thinking by showing how historians narrate and construct the historical significance of the French Revolution, by making this second-order concept explicit and by giving them the opportunity to explore different types of narrative (Rüsen).

An Analysis of the Online Final Examination Items for Ninth-graders in the Mathematics Course Using the Rasch Measurement Model

The National Examination in Indonesia has been abolished since 2020. Hence, the Indonesian junior high schools makes its final examination items for the 9th-grade, and from the results, the school determines students' graduation. The final examination has an important role and significant value in making decisions about students' graduation. Therefore, this study is aimed to analyze the Online Final Examination items in one of the public junior high schools in Bandung. The sample was 234 students in grade 9 using their mathematics examination tests, comprising 20 multiple-choice items with 4 options, while the data processing used Winsteps software with the Rasch modeling technique. Subsequently, the Rasch model results showed an acceptable person separation statistic of 1.54 and sufficient person reliability at 0.74. The item separation statistics was in a good category at 4.59, while the item reliability at 0.95 was excellent. Although four online final examination items were in the fit category, 16 were good and capable of dividing students according to their abilities. The result also provided very detailed data about the quality of the items and the ability of each grade 9 student. Since each test item is included in the fit category, this study contributes information on preparing and analyzing the Online Final Examination to teachers..