Evidence of the Validity of the PPST for Non-Traditional College Students

Abstract

Correlation coefficients and coefficients of determination were calculated for PPST subtest scores for three age groups of college students. PPST reading, math, and writing scores from a sample of 800 university students in teacher education were used for the analysis. In general, correlation coefficients were higher for students 23 years or younger. Coefficients were much lower for students 30 years of age or older. Coefficients of determination suggested that the PPST reading and writing subtest scores account for a sizable about of variation in college GPA for students 23 and younger (.21 and .22), but PPST reading and math accounted for relatively little variation in GPA for students 30 years or older (.06 and .04). The authors suggest that universities with large enrollments of older, non-traditional students in teacher education programs further examine the validity of using some subtests of the PPST in the decision-making process.