Psychometric Properties of the Early Number Competency Test in Hong Kong Preschool Children: A Longitudinal Study

Xiangzi OUYANG, xueliang CHEN, Xiao ZHANG

Research output: Other Conference ContributionsPresentation

Abstract

The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Early Number Competency Test (ENCT), which was designed for Chinese preschool children aged five to six. The participants were 299 children (age: M = 63.29 months, SD = 5.05 months) who were recruited from seven not-for-profit preschools in Hong Kong and were tested three times, first in the second semester of their second preschool year (Time 1) and then in the first (Time 2) and second (Time 3) semesters of their third year. The ENCT consists of eight number skill tasks: counting, number-word comparison, digit comparison, set comparison, nonverbal calculation, word problems, basic arithmetic concepts, and number identification skills. The results from item response modelling suggest that, except for the nonverbal calculation task, the item difficulties of the other tasks were at a medium level and the discrimination power was high. The items of the nonverbal calculation task were relatively easy, with moderate item discrimination power. Moreover, all the items were fair to girls and boys, and they functioned equally well across time. The examination of construct validity indicated that a three-dimension construct, including numbering, relations, and arithmetic operations, best fitted the data. The construct remained stable across the first two time points. Finally, the three dimensions - numbering, relation, and arithmetic operations - measured at Time 1 showed moderate to high correlations with written computation at Time 3, providing evidence for predictive validity. The findings demonstrated that the ENCT was a reliable, valid test and its psychometric quality remained relatively stable over time in young Chinese children.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jun 2024
Event1st EdUHK International Conference for Research in Early Childhood Education and Development - Hong Kong, Hong kong
Duration: 1 Jun 20243 Jun 2024
https://www.increce-eduhk.com/_files/ugd/9e4e79_35862c5d48d14f12b2cad547c248aad2.pdf

Conference

Conference1st EdUHK International Conference for Research in Early Childhood Education and Development
Abbreviated titleInCRECE2024
CityHong kong
Period1/06/243/06/24
Internet address

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