PSYC 190 lecture 9

Achievement Gap

The difference in academic performance between affluent white students and poor, Black, or Hispanic students.

PISA

Program for International Student Assessment that tests 15-year-olds in math, reading, and science.

TIMSS

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study conducted to assess formal math and science capabilities.

NAEP

National Assessment of Educational Progress that provides U.S.-only data on student performance.

Teacher Quality

Strong predictor of student success related to teacher training and certification.

Cultural Bias

The bias in tests that may favor certain cultural groups over others, potentially affecting achievement outcomes.

Retrieval Practice

Actively recalling information from memory, which strengthens memory more than passive review.

Spaced Repetition

Spreading study sessions over time to improve long-term retention.

Interleaving

Mixing topics or subjects during study sessions to enhance retention.

Environmental Change

Factors related to home or school quality that significantly affect student achievement.

Genetics vs. Environment

The debate about the influence of genetic factors versus environmental conditions on achievement gaps.

Instructional Match

When teaching methods align with a student's preferred learning style, though shown not to significantly improve outcomes.

Bias in Testing

The phenomenon where certain groups may perform differently on standardized tests due to biases in design or implementation.

Cramming

A study technique involving intensive study in a short period, generally ineffective for long-term knowledge retention.

Effective Study Techniques

Methods such as retrieval practice and spaced repetition that promote better learning and retention.