Parents and guardians: Their perceptions of psychometric test uses with learners in an emerging country’s school system

Abstract

This study utilised participatory action research methods to explore Botswana parents and guardians’ (n = 162) perceptions of psychometric tests for use with school learners. The participants completed a Parent/Guardian Psychometric Survey. Wilcoxon Rank Sums Test analysis indicated the parents and guardians prioritised the following usages in order of importance to student outcomes: learning readiness, aptitude, personal development, community norms, socialisation, and guidance and counselling. The participants perceived value in psychometric tests for assisting learners in academic, social, personal, and vocational/career development. The participants preferred for their child learners to access psychometric tests use information from their school head across all counselling need areas. Findings suggest that the use of a consensus- driven participatory action research consultative process is feasible for developing a framework for test use in an emerging country.