Assessment for learning means to provide good information for teachers to help students learning better. Besides tools from the Classical Test Theory (CTT) approach that usually used by teacher, other approach which is called as objective measurement that based on probability is an alternative that can give more precise measurement. Rasch model providing psychometrics analysis techniques can be used by teachers to develop test items as well as an essential tool that can serve relevant information regard to student assessment for learning.

Purpose - Blended learning is rapidly emerging as a domain for practice and research. Across disciplines and contexts, at individual instructor and institution levels, educators are experimenting with the blended learning model of instruction. The current generation of learners have been referred to as ‘digital natives’ in reflection of their apparent ease and familiarity with digital technology. However, questions remain about how ready students are for a blended learning model of instruction. The purpose of the study was to investigate students’ readiness for a blended learning model of instruction in a leading Malaysian higher education institution. Methodology - The study employed a non-experimental quantitative research design. Data were gathered from a sample of 235 undergraduate and 131 postgraduate students using the Blended Learning Readiness Engagement Questionnaire (BLREQ). The data was analysed using the WINSTEPS Rasch model measurement software to determine the validity and reliability of the instrument. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis was also used to identify responses based on students’ demographic profiles. Findings - Findings identified that students were ready for blended learning. Further analysis indicated that there were differences in students’ readiness for blended learning based on gender, age, ethnicity, field of study, and level of education. Significance - This study provides insights on students’ readiness towards blended learning, particularly in the Malaysian context, discusses implications for blended learning practices in higher education institutions, and offers recommendations for future research.

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The preparation and development of school leaders is now considered to be fundamental to school and system improvement. In the pursuit of educational change and reform, the leadership of the principal is deemed to be of critical importance. This qualitative study is part of a large scale research project that is exploring principal preparation and development in seven different countries. In particular, this article focuses on how public secondary school principals in Indonesia are prepared, developed and selected for their role. Disappointingly little is known from the empirical literature about being a principal in Indonesia or about principal preparation and development. Therefore this contemporary, descriptive, non-experimental qualitative study focused on a purposive sample of 18 public secondary school principals in four different provinces in Indonesia. The initial findings reveal that even though principal training has been standardized in Indonesia and is now a compulsory part of a principal certification process, micro-political influences still currently govern the appointment of school principals.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the degree to which the different attributes of Islamic banks in Indonesia are preferred by the community. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a quantitative approach by applying Rasch analysis to measure the relative importance of 18 attributes of Islamic banks to the community. The data were collected by questionnaires, which were distributed online and completed by 345 respondents. In addition to the Rasch model, the preference of attributes was measured by a statistical inference test, using “SPSS” software, which employs binary logic regression related to the agreement between the performance of attributes and expectations. Findings The instrument used in this study showed good reliability, and its validity fits the expected model. The results show that the assurance of financial security, friendliness and the application of Islamic principles in their operations are the most important attributes to be considered when people choose an Islamic bank. The degree of importance placed by the community on the various attributes of Islamic banks will have an effect upon the actual and perceived quality of those attributes. An increase in the community’s preference for a particular attribute will eventually be followed by an increased agreement between the actual performance of that attribute and the community’s expectation. Research limitations/implications The varied profiles of individual respondents were not explored fully: this research relies solely on quantitative analysis. So, there is no empirical information to inform the Islamic banks as to which segments of the community should be the focus of their promotional activities. Originality/value The use of Rasch analysis to measure the community’s preference for various attributes of Islamic banks has not been done previously.