Armed-Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

18 Pages·2007·0.31 MB·English

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 113 579
CE 005 330
Harris, Randolph K.; Hhckell, Raymond K., Jr.
'AUTHOR
Predicting Academic Success in Secondary Schools From
TITLE
the General Technical Composite on the Armed /Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery.
INSTITUTION
Armed Forces Vocational Testing Group, Randolph AFR,
TeX. Research Div.
REPORT NO
AFVTG-TR-74-2; VT-102-128
PUB DATE
Dec 74
.
18g.; For related document, see'CE 005 331
NOTE
'
EDRS PRICE
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DESCRIPTORS,
Academic Achievement; *Aptitude Tests; Armed Forces;
Correlation; Grade 11; Grade 12;' *Grade Point
Average; *High School Students; *Predictive Ability
Tables (Data); Test Results; *Vocational
(Testing) ;
Aptitude
IDENTIFIERS
*Armed-Services Vocational Aptitude Battery; ASVABC
Texas (San Anto io)
ABSTRACT
-
The study reports correlations between student scores
-
on the general technical composite of the Armed Services Vocational
Aptitude Battery and cumulative grade point averages. Data were
collected on 911 juniors and seniors selected,from a sample at 22
high schools in the San Antonio, Texas, metropolitan area. The
general technical score was found. to significantly relate to overall
academic performance for 19 out of the 22 samples, with a media rank
order correlation coefficient_ (rhorof .44. Results indicate that the
level of relationship was not differentially affected by
school-specific ethnic group composition, school expenditures, or
average teacher/pupil ratio. Since socioeconomic levels represented
in the various samples go from the highest to the lowest ranges,
limited generalizations may be meaningful to other school districts
with similar diverse populatilans. The report is designed for
reference by high school counselors, service test administrators, and
educational specialists as a supplemental guide to the interpretation
of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery results in local
guidance and counseling. programs.
(Author/MF)
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AFVTG TECHNICAL RESEARCH REPORT NUMBER
PREDICTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
FROM THE GENERAL TECHNICAL COMPOSITE
ON THE ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
EDUCATION L WELF ARE
NATIONAL'INSTITUTE OF
EDUCATION
4,
THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO.
DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM
THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN-
ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS
STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE-
SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY
RANDOLP i K. HARRIS, MAJOR, USA
RAYMOND K. HUCKELL, JR., SFC, USA
DECEMBER 1974
RESEARCH DIVISION
ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL 'TESTING GROUP
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS
Armed Forces Vocational Testing Group Technical Research Tteports and Technical
Research Notes are developed for primary use and reference by secondary school
counselors and Department of Defense Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
(ASVAB) test administrators and educational specialists. This report is presented in
a format to facilitate field application by secondary school counselors, test adminis-
trators, and educational specialists. Conclusions and recommendations are solely
those of the primary authors and in no way represent official policy of either the mili-
tary services or the Department of Defense.
(
APPROVED BY
HARRY D. WILFONG, PhD
RALPH S. HOGGATT
Technical Advisor
Colonel, USAF
Research Division
Commander
Armed Forces Vocational Testing Group
Armed Forces Vocational Testing Group
3
UNCLASSIFIED
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE (When Dote Entered)
READ INSTRUCTIONS
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE
BEFORE COMPLETING FORM
L REPORT NUMBER
RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NUMBER
2. GOVT ACCESSION NO.
3.
_
74-2
,
4. TITL,E (and Subtitle)
TYPE OF REPORT 6 PERIOD COVERED
5.
,
:Predicting Academic in Secondary Schools fromthe
General Technical Composite on the Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery
6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER
,
74-2
AUTHOR(.)
6. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(a)
7.
Randolph
Harris
Raymond K.
ckell Jr.
9. PERFORMING-ORGANIZATION NAME.' AND ADDRESS
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT.PROJECT, TASK
AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS
Armed Forces Vocational Testing Group
Randolph AFB, TX
78148
AFVTG 117
..
12. REPORT DATE
CONTROLLING OFFICE'NAME AND ADDRESS
11
Armed Forces Vocational Testing Group
December 1974
Randolph AFB, TX
78148
13. NUMBER OF PAGES
AFVTG/RD
9
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SECURITY CLASS. NI thic report)
15.
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UNCLASSIFIED
15o. DECLASSIFICATION/DOWNGRADING
SCHEDULE
DISTRIBUTION STATEMEN.T (al this Roport)
16.
This document has been approved for public release and sale; distribution
is unlimited.
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DISTRIBUTION ST Ael'EM ENT (of the betroct entered in Block 20, if different from Roport)
17.
10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
.1
19. KEY WORDS (Continue on reeoro side If nocmary and identify by block number)
Predicting Academic Success, Secondary Schools, San Antonio, Compostee,
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude-Battery, ASVAB, Validity Coefficients,
Correlation Coefficients, General Technical, GT, Grade Point Average, G.P.A.,
Sampling Technique, Texas Education Agency.
-
20: ABSTRACT (Continuo on rovers* side If neceesery and identify by block number)
This Technical Research Note reports correlations between student
scores on
the General Technical (GT) composite of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude
Battery and cumulative grade point averages (GPAs).
Data were collected on 911
juniors and seniors selected from a sample at 2,2 secondary schools in
the
San Antonio metropolitan area.
-
.
,
The GT Icore was fbund to significantly relate to overall academic performance
FJOANRM73
DD
EDITION OF 1 NOV 66 IS OBSOLETE .
I
UNCLASSIFIED
4
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE (When Dol entered)
UNCLASSIFIED
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF, THIS P AGE(Whon Data Entered)
Results indicate
for 19 out of the 22 samples, with a median rho of,44.
that the level of relatibnship was not differentially affected by
school-'specific ethnic group composition, school expenditures, or
...
average teacher/pupil ratio.
Neither the samples used nor conclusions presented in this study should
be construed as representative of high schools throughout the country.
Since socio-economic levels represented in the various samples go from
the highest to the lowest ranges, limited generalizations may be meaningful
to other school districts with similar diverse populations.
This is an initial report exploring the relationship between student
performance on various ASVAB scales and various criteria in the civilian
Additional studies will further assess relationships
academic sector.
across various grade levels, in differing types of training situations,
As such, this first study should be
nd across different time spanS.
i terpreted as a prelude to additional and more comprehensive analyses of
he Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
UNCLASSIFIED
CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PACIE(Whon Dais Entered)
1
Technical Research Report 74-2
PREDICTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
FROM THE GENERAL TECHNICAL COMPOSITE
ON THE ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL'APTITUDE BATTERY
RANDOLPH K. HARRIS, MAJOR, USA
4
RAY OND K. HUCKELL, JR., SFC, USA
RESEARCH DIVISION
4.
ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL TESTING GROUP
Randolph "Air Force Base, Texas 78148
December/1974
AFVTG PROJECT NUMBER 117
THIS' DOCUMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE AND SALE;
DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED.
4
ii
,4
PREFACE
This Technical Report is designed for reference by high school
counselors, service test administrators, and educational specialists
as a supplement 1 guide to the 'interpretation of Armed_ Services
Vocational Aptitu
Battery (ASVAB) results in local guidance and
counseling program
_
Data summarized in this Technical Research Note were collected
on 911 students randomly selected from a sample of. 22 secondary
schools in the San Antonio metropolitan area. School samples were
obtained through voluntary participation. The investigators are in-
debted to all participating counselors, admiOstrative personnel, and
principals. Special aripreciation is owed to Miss Barbara Beverly,
Research Division, Texas Education Agency, Austin, Texas, and Mr.
Roy Baiter,
Coordinator
Northeast
Guidance,
Independent
of
School District, San Antonio, Texas.
Of/
ABSTRACT
This Technical Research Note reports correlations between stu-
dent scores on the General Technical (GT) composite of the Armed
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and cumulative grade point
averages (GPAs). Data were collected on 911 juniors and seniors se-
lected from a sample at 22 secondary schools in the San Antonio)
metropolitan area.
The GT score was found to significantly relate to overall academic
performance for 19 out of the 22 samples, with a median rho of .44.
Results indicate that the level of relationship was not differentially
affected by school-specific ethnic group coemposition, school ex-
or average teacher/pupil ratio.
penditures,
Neither the samples used nor conclusions presented in this study
should be construed as representative of high schools throughout the
country. Since socio-economic levels represented in the various
samples go from the highest to the lowest ranges, limited generaliza-
tions may be meaningful to other school districts with similar diverse
populations.
This is an initial report exploring the relationship between student
performance on various ABVAB scalelnifill-Various criteria in the
civilian academic sector. Additional studies will further assess re-
lationships across various grade levels, in differidg types of training
situations, and across different time spans. As such, this first study
should be interpreted as a prOlude to additional and more compre-
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
hensive analyses of the Arm
iv
1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I
Iptroduction and Background
Procedure
2
Resultd
3
Discussion
4
Conclusions and Implications for Further Research
6
)
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Ranges of School Associated Socio-Economic Variables
,
3
1
2 Student Samples
4
3 OPA and GT MeansIntercorrelatiOns
5
LIST OF APPENDICES
(\
Appendix
Description of ASVAB Subtests
A1-1
1
2 Sample Letter to School Administrator
A2-1
1
r
PREDICTING ACADEMIC SUC
S IN SECONDA1Y SCHOOLS
FROM THE GENERAL TE
HNICAL COMPOSITE
ON THE ARMED SERVICES VOC
TIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY
I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
consistently correlate with various meas-
ures of scholastic achievement. Traxler
Since introduction of the Armed Serv-
(1937) reported that global measures of
Vocational
ices
Aptitude
Battery
intelligence
correlated
significantly
(ASVAB) into the national high school
with measures of
scholastic
achieve-
counseling environment in
1968, two
ment, whether the' criterion be teacher's
validation
interpretative
and
studies
marks or student scores on standardized
have been conducted on the instrument
achievement and aptitude tests. In an
within the military services (Vito la, Mul-
earlier study, Gates (1922) summarized
lins, and Croll, 1973; Thomas, 1970).
that, in general, verbal tests seemed to be
.
better
predictors
achievement
of
The traditional criterion used within
than offie
titude scales. The range of
such studies has been evaluation against
is for the elementary
validity coeffic
success in training in military technical
level was from +.
-to +.79; at the sec-
schools. Comparable data (for an apti-
ondary level, the range
s '4-.50 to +.60.
tude
designed primarily for serv-
In a similar vein, Byrns, Ruth, and Hen-
ice enlisted screening and job classific^a,-
mon (1935) found significant relation-
tionurposes) has not been accumulated
ships between verbal aptitude measures
on civilian student samples.
overall
and
standing
academic
(i.e.,
GPA) as early as the fourth grade.
The basic objective of this research
study was to explore the relationship be-
In summarizing the results of 12 stud-
tween a single dimension of ASVAB
ies correlgting global maasures of Intel-
performance and overall grade point av-
ligence with attained GPA for courses at-
erages (GPAs) for a regional sampling of
tempted, Ross and Hooks (1930) found
high school students. The ASVAB com-
relationships from '4-.12 to +.69 with a
ponent chosen as the predictor, variable
median correlation coefficient of
In
+.48.
was student scores on the General Tech-
a similar review reported in Miller (1961),
consisting
nic
Composites,
unit
of
Travers estimated the probable range of
ting the two subtests of Word
wei
coefficients obtained between various in-
Kno, ledge and Arithmetic Reasoning. A
telligence tests and grades in academic
full description. of all ASVAB subtests
subjects to be between +.40- and +.60.
used in reporting results-to high school
counselors and 'students appears in Ap-
In operational industrial training en-
pendix 1. The student GPA was chosen as
vironments, similar findings have been
the criterion because it was readily avail-
summarized which demonstrate consist-
able anii approximates overall academic
ent
significant
and
relationships
be-
standing of students within the micro-
tween scores on tests
intellectual
of
cosm of a specific scho I system. For. the
abilities and perforniiince in training. To
purposes of this study,
primarily
&irected
the extent that the 'learning environ-
toward senior sampl
a cumulative
ments are parallel between secondary
,
four-year GPA, covering an average of
high school systems and industrial/serv-
six courses, per year, was chosen as'theo
ice training programs, the results of such
optimum available criterion variable.
4lesearch in the, industrial setting are of
interest to the basic concern of the pres-
Several researchers have demonstra-
ent study (viz. demonstrating the rela-
ted that global measures of intelligence
tionship(s) between an overall measure
10