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. 2016 Nov;59(11):969-978.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.22610. Epub 2016 Oct 6.

Development and validation of an assessment tool for a national young worker curriculum

Rebecca J Guerin  1 , Andrea H Okun  2 , Patricia Kelley  3
Affiliations

Development and validation of an assessment tool for a national young worker curriculum

Rebecca J Guerin et al. Am J Ind Med. 2016 Nov.

Abstract

Background: An online, multiple-choice assessment was developed and validated for Youth@Work-Talking Safety, a NIOSH curriculum that equips middle and high school students with foundational workplace safety and health knowledge and skills.

Methods: Classical Test Theory was used for the test development and validation; the Jaeger method was used for cut score determination. A total of 118 multiple-choice items were developed to measure the acquisition of knowledge and skills taught through the NIOSH curriculum. Pilot testing was conducted with 192 8-12th grade students and a cut score was determined.

Results: The mean score for all test-takers on the Talking Safety assessment was 80.9%; total test reliability measured using an Alpha/KR20 statistic was 0.93. A minimum passing (cut) score of 74% was established.

Conclusions: The assessment provides an objective measure of students' acquisition of the foundational workplace safety and health competencies taught through the Talking Safety curriculum. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:969-978, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.); adolescent; assessment; curriculum; measurement; occupational injuries; safety; work; young workers.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Steps involved in the Talking Safety assessment development process.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Distribution of student scores on the Talking Safety assessment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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