For optimized testing: Class 8c participated in a study

As one of 50 schools in Hesse, Steinmühle participated in a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In this project, called COINS, the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education (DIPF) in Frankfurt am Main is investigating how to develop a test that optimally reflects students’ learning progress. For research purposes, learning progress in mathematics was to be measured using the 8th-grade curriculum. To this end, Class 8c, along with their math teacher Nicole Scholtes, took part in the study.

Two test days were required to gather the relevant data for the study. The first assessment took place in early December—deliberately scheduled before the students had actually covered the material in the math test. The second assessment took place on March 23. By that date, the students had already completed the lesson on linear equations and functions.

Each test lasted two school periods and consisted of a math test and a questionnaire. Nicole Scholtes, as a teacher, also had to fill out a questionnaire. It included questions about lesson design and lesson planning. She also had to submit a detailed account of the lesson content, including all the exercises covered.

The name of the COINS study, which is being conducted in both Germany and Switzerland, stands for “Construction of Instructionally Sensitive Test Items.” The study aims to determine what test items in mathematics classes must look like in order to demonstrate the impact of instruction and authentically reflect student learning outcomes. Based on the results, tests can then be developed that all students can take and that can be used to assess the quality of instruction in schools.

Steinmühle School Principals Björn Gemmer and Bernd Holly: “Steinmühle is happy to support such innovative projects, and we are delighted when our colleagues are willing to participate.”

Our photo shows math teacher Nicole Scholtes (right) with the students in Class 8c.