Statistical Models in Educational Assessment: Three Studies

Abstract

The educational system in Spain is undergoing a reorganization. At present, high-school graduates who want to enroll at a public university must take a set of examinations - Pruebas de Aptitud para el Acceso a la Universidad (PAAU). A "new formula" (components, weights, type of exam,...) for university admission is being discussed. The present paper summarizes the research done by the author in her PhD. The context for this thesis is the evaluation of large-scale and complex systems of assessment. The main objectives were: to achieve a deep knowledge of the entire university admissions process in Spain, to discover the main sources of uncertainty and to promote empirical research in a continual improvement of the entire process. Focussing on the suitable statistical models and strategies which allow to highlight the imperfections of the system and reduce them, the paper develops, among other approaches, some applications of multilevel modelling. models, variance component models, rater reliability

Note: The downloadable paper is in Spanish.

Keywords: PAAU exams, admissions process, random coefficient

JEL Classification: C89, C99, I29