Inquiry Classroom Patterns of Student Cognitive Engagement: An Analysis Using Growth Curve Modeling

ABSTRACTEducational research continues to reiterate the need for inquiry-based instruction in secondary science. However, the patterns of how teachers implement inquiry-based pedagogy have not been thoroughly studied—particularly from a quantitative perspective. This study is based on data from 422 observations of 50 teachers collected during a 5-year professional development program using an observation protocol (Electronic Quality of Inquiry Protocol [EQUIP]) designed to measure the quality of inquiry-based instruction. We focused on the relationships between teacher facilitation of inquiry, student cognitive engagement, and components of inquiry, as measured by EQUIP. Using the scores from EQUIP, we developed models using growth curve modeling to illustrate the lesson patterns of student cognitive engagement as influenced by teacher practice and components of inquiry. Our final model suggests that the strongest predictor of student engagement is teacher activity in facilitating inquiry and that growth ...