ERIC Number: ED520525
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2011-May
Pages: 56
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Evaluation of the Enhanced Assessment Grants (EAGs) SimScientists Program: Site Visit Findings. CRESST Report 791
Herman, Joan; Dai, Yunyun; Htut, Aye Mon; Martinez, Marcela; Rivera, Nichole
National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST)
This evaluation report addresses the implementation, utility, and feasibility of SimScientists' simulation-based assessments for middle school science classrooms, with particular attention to the use of accommodations available in the program. Data were collected from a convenience sample of five schools and eight teachers across three states participating in a larger pilot of SimScientists. During site visits, CRESST researchers conducted classroom observations and teacher interviews addressing the major components of the SimScientists program in two topics: (1) Ecosystem and (2) Force and Motion. SimScientists components included embedded, formative assessments; reflection activities designed to deepen student understanding of key ideas and processes; and benchmark assessments to gauge student learning at the end of the unit. Site visit findings were confirmed using teacher survey results from the larger pilot on teachers' use and satisfaction. Embedded and Benchmark Assessments are appended. (Contains 17 figures and 23 tables.)
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Middle Schools, Simulation, Classrooms, Program Effectiveness, Program Evaluation, Formative Evaluation, Teacher Surveys, Ecology
National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST). 300 Charles E Young Drive N, GSE&IS Building 3rd Floor, Mailbox 951522, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1522. Tel: 310-206-1532; Fax: 310-825-3883; Web site: http://www.cresst.org
Publication Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A