Predictive validity of screening examination on the overall achievement of science, vocational and technical education students in Nigeria

 

Jamil Mikhail Yahaya^1* and Zumuk Yaniyang Shang²

 

Research Article | Published June 2015

Journal of Educational Research and Reviews, Vol. 3(4), pp. 54-61

 

 

¹School of Primary Education Studies, F. C. E. (T), PMB 060 Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.

²School of Education, F. C. E. (T), PMB 060 Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 

*Corresponding author. Email: jamilgombe@yahoo.com.  

 

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This quantitative study investigated the effects of screening examination in Nigeria to find out if it can be used to predict students overall achievement. The study’s objective was determining if there are any significant differences between two groups of candidates admitted with and without the screening examination in science, vocational and technical education programmes. Over 4000 students’ results approved in the academic board were used as the source of the data while sample was drawn from candidates with complete results only. An Independent Sample t-test was used for data analysis where the cumulative grade point average of groups admitted without screening examination and those admitted with screening examination were compared. The findings indicated that a statistically significant difference exists between the performances of the two groups in Technical Education Programme (m = 2.67, SD = 0.90); t (628) = 3.99, p = < .00 (two-tailed). But in Science Education Programme (m = 2.71, SD = 0.34); t (178) = 2.14, p = > .08 (two-tailed); Agricultural Science Education Programme (m = 2.60, SD = 0.79); t (409) = -0.63, p = > .63 (two-tailed); and Home Economics Education Programme (m = 2.75, SD = 0.75); t (148) = 1.14, p = > 0.26 (two-tailed); no statistically significant difference exists between the groups. The paper concluded that according to the findings of this study, the screening examination might not be used to predict the students overall achievement. Some of the limitations of the study as well as recommendations have been highlighted.