The California Critical Thinking Skills Test--College Level. Technical Report #2. Factors Predictive of CT Skills.

Correlations between the California Ci_tical Thinking Skills Test--College Level (CCTST) and student-related factors regarded as indicators of academic ability and success were studied in a series of four experiments investigating whether the CCTST measures improvement in critical thinking (CT) skills. During 1989-90, data were collected on 1,196 college students at California State University (Fullerton), some of whom were enrolled in courses specifically designed to improve CT skills. Instructor-related factors were also evaluated for their impact on CT skill development. Regression models were developed for predicting CCTST results. Relationships between reading ability and native English language ability and the CCTST were also examined. CT skills could be predicted by a combination of verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score, mathematics SAT score, and grade point average. CCTST results correlated positively with reading test scores for vocabulary, comprehension, and total score. Non-native English speakers showed virtually no gains in CT skills from pretest to posttest. Only instructor years of teachiag experience and recent experience teaching CT skills were related to CCTST results. No evidence was found to suggest that improvement in CT skills is a natural outgrowth of baccalaureate education; skills improvement did result from courses targeting such skills. Twelve tables provide study lata. (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original di-Jcument. U & DEPARTMENT OF IMCATioit Office of Educational Research end improvement EC UCADONAL RESOURCES INFORIAATiON CENTER (ERIC) rl document hes bees reproduced as received from the person or oreartmetron onginating rt 0 Minor changes have tow made to improve reproductiOn PANS Points of view or opinions stated in Ma doctr meni do not neceseenly reOrseent Official OEM posaiori or policy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Y9C11g Al. FR/oluir TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." The California Critical Thinking Skills Test -0211ege Level