Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability

This study’s primary purpose was to determine a method of quantitating the impact of physiological responses to stress on testing performance. We developed the stress performance evaluation (SPE) to calculate the overall stress levels that occur during testing by using the correct answers divided by...

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Main Authors: Jenalee A. Hinds, Beverley H. Johns
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/6/594
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author Jenalee A. Hinds
Beverley H. Johns
author_facet Jenalee A. Hinds
Beverley H. Johns
author_sort Jenalee A. Hinds
collection DOAJ
description This study’s primary purpose was to determine a method of quantitating the impact of physiological responses to stress on testing performance. We developed the stress performance evaluation (SPE) to calculate the overall stress levels that occur during testing by using the correct answers divided by the percent change in heart rate per day. Here, we first measured whether the SPE equation could predict testing environment and parameters in children with a learning disability (LD). The participants were seventh-grade students, with testing consisting of 100 basic math calculation questions in sixty seconds. Quantitative data was also collected through questionnaires, heart rates, and math fluency probes. The test performance was measured in small and large classroom settings and with paper and pencil (P&P) and online computer tests. Based on our SPE measurements, all LD students performed best in small-group computer testing for correctness and percent change in heart rate, which meant better overall performance. The use of SPE has promise for future testing parameters. The SPE evaluation method might be significant for determining the best testing situation for children with a disability and quantitatively measuring stress responses in advanced students, adults, and other testing scenarios.
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spelling doaj.art-5ddef3d382ba46a8a1104b6c234a7c472023-11-18T10:06:29ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022023-06-0113659410.3390/educsci13060594Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning DisabilityJenalee A. Hinds0Beverley H. Johns1Department of Teacher Preparation & Educational Studies, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USADepartment of Special Education, MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL 62651, USAThis study’s primary purpose was to determine a method of quantitating the impact of physiological responses to stress on testing performance. We developed the stress performance evaluation (SPE) to calculate the overall stress levels that occur during testing by using the correct answers divided by the percent change in heart rate per day. Here, we first measured whether the SPE equation could predict testing environment and parameters in children with a learning disability (LD). The participants were seventh-grade students, with testing consisting of 100 basic math calculation questions in sixty seconds. Quantitative data was also collected through questionnaires, heart rates, and math fluency probes. The test performance was measured in small and large classroom settings and with paper and pencil (P&P) and online computer tests. Based on our SPE measurements, all LD students performed best in small-group computer testing for correctness and percent change in heart rate, which meant better overall performance. The use of SPE has promise for future testing parameters. The SPE evaluation method might be significant for determining the best testing situation for children with a disability and quantitatively measuring stress responses in advanced students, adults, and other testing scenarios.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/6/594stress responseheart ratetest anxietyassessmentperformancelearning disabilities
spellingShingle Jenalee A. Hinds
Beverley H. Johns
Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability
Education Sciences
stress response
heart rate
test anxiety
assessment
performance
learning disabilities
title Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability
title_full Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability
title_fullStr Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability
title_full_unstemmed Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability
title_short Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability
title_sort stress performance evaluation spe is a novel method of measuring physiological responsiveness to testing in children with a learning disability
topic stress response
heart rate
test anxiety
assessment
performance
learning disabilities
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/6/594
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