An early numeracy digital brief assessment: parametric and non-parametric IRT models

Marconi, Cecilia - de León, Dinorah - Luzardo, Mario - Maiche, Alejandro

Resumen:

Developing efficient and reliable tools for assessing early mathematical skills remains a critical priority in educational research. This study aimed to develop and validate a brief version of the Prueba Uruguaya de Matemática (Uruguayan Mathematics Test, PUMa), a digital tool to assess mathematical abilities in children aged 5 to 6. The test comprises both symbolic and non-symbolic dimensions, including tasks as approximate number system, counting, numerical ordering (forward and backward), math fluency, composition and decomposition of numbers, and transcoding auditory-verbal stimuli into Arabic-visual symbols. Using a sample of 443 participants and applying parametric and non-parametric models within the framework of Item Response Theory (IRT), along with correlations with TEMA-3, we generated preliminary evidence that the brief version retained both precision and validity. The resulting brief test, consisting of nearly half the original items, achieved a balanced representation of symbolic and non-symbolic tasks. These findings highlight the efficiency of digital tools for real-time data collection and their potential to enable scalable early interventions. Such advancements support personalized educational strategies, fostering cognitive and academic growth from an early age.

Detalles Bibliográficos
2025
Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación
Cognición matemática|
Aprendizaje
Educación
Ciencias Sociales
Ciencias de la Educación
Psicología
Inglés
Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación
REDI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12381/3905
Acceso abierto
Reconocimiento 4.0 Internacional. (CC BY)