1997 Volume 2 Number 1
Developing Pupil Profiles In Primary Mathematics Using
Item Response Theory
Foong Pui Yee
Yap Sook Few
Khoo Phon Sai
Berinderjeet Kaur
Abstract: As part of a multi-disciplinary research entitled Primary Profiling Project, a
team of mathematics educators had developed a set of test instruments which could
provide profiles of pupils in their performance of basic and processes across the
primary mathematics curriculum. These profiles also provide semi-diagnostic
information for teachers to assess the weakness and strength of individual pupils in
three areas, viz. Number, Measurement and Geometry. The tests were of paper-and-
pencil multiple-choice format for Grades 3 and 5 In each topic a sequence of
attainment levels was identified based on the actual difficulty of learning tasks and
ability of the learners. The lower levels consist of elementary knowledge and skills
while the higher levels reflect conceptual understanding and use of problem solving
processes. Item response theory was applied to analyse data and to present results in the
form of kidmaps that are meaningful to pupils, their parents, teachers and the school as
a whole.