Impacts of a Problem-Based Instruction Approach to Economics on High school Students
Key outcomes and measures
Box 1 lists the key outcome variables for the study. The primary outcome for both teachers and students is content knowledge gains in economics measured by the Test of Economic Literacy. This test, developed and refined by the National Council on Economic Education, is now in its third edition, and reliability is high (Cronbach alpha = .89). Student problem-solving skills are measured with open response performance assessments of applied economics concepts (performance task assessments), developed by the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Testing at the University of California, Los Angeles. Using survey data, teacher's practices and attitudinal measures were used to assess changes in engagement with the curriculum.
Box 1. Study outcomes and their measures
Teacher outcome measures
Teacher content knowledge in economics
- Teacher Test of Economic Literacy
Teacher pedagogical practices and satisfaction with problem-based economics- Survey instruments
Student outcome measures
Student content knowledge in economics
- Student Test of Economic Literacy
Student problem-solving skills (student tests)
- Monetary policy—federal funds (conceptual understanding)
- Monetary policy—employment (conceptual understanding)
- Fiscal policy (conceptual understanding)
- Consumer demand (conceptual understanding)
- Opportunity costs (conceptual understanding)