Journal of Educational Sciences > Volume 25, No. 2, 2013

Differential Item Functioning for Mathematics Test in (PISA) 2006 International Study / Ma’moon Mubark, Wael Mobark

The present study aimed at exploring the differential item functioning for mathematics test in (PISA) 2006 international study in terms of language using Mantel-Haenszel Method (HM). The total of the items of the mathematics test were (48) and the number of examinees was (400000), randomly selected from the population. Twenty seven items of the study showed differential item functioning according to the language variable (Arabic vs. English) using Mantel Haenszel Method with (56%). the items that showed differential item functioning were (74%) in favor of English Language group. The findings of the study showed that the average Jordanian performance was improved after omitting the items which showed Differential Item Functioning. This is due to the fact that the items of this test were written in English and their translation would change their meanings or lead to the omission of important information which makes answering them difficult.
Key words: Differential Item Functioning; Mantel-Haenszel Method (HM); Program for International Student Assessment (PISA);
Mathematics Test.