Presented is a study in which the authors developed a valid and reliable test of integrated science process skills for students in secondary schools. The field trials are described and the reliability is given as .89 across ability levels, socioeconomic levels, gender, and race. Recommended uses of the test for teachers, researchers, and…

The predictive validity of the new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) was examined; the validity coefficients were compared to those obtained from previous versions of the MCAT and from performance data gathered early in a first-year basic science program. Data were collected from about 400 medical students, including: (1) MCAT…

The physics objectives are geared to use in college preparatory, high school physics courses and are based on the three most common physics curricula: (1) Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC); (2) The Project Physics Course; and (3) Modern Physics by Dull, Metcalf, and Williams. Since many of the sample items can be answered in various ways,…

Developed was a "reading free" test to evaluate knowledge and understanding of science by elementary school pupils. This study was made because it was suspected that students reading below grade level were unable to indicate fully their science knowledge on conventional tests. The Pictorial-aural Inventory of Science Knowledge (PISK) was…

This inventory, developed for use with the Harvard Project Physics curriculum, consists of 135 two-choice (agree-disagree) items. Items cover perceptions of the role of scientists, the nature and functions of theories, underlying assumptions made by scientists, and other aspects of the scientific process. The test is suitable for high school…

The 1961 meeting of the Western Regional Conference on Testing Problems dealt with changes in education and measurement since Sputnik. The following papers were presented: (1) "Who's Testing Whom and for What?" by Daniel D. Feder; (2) "Recent Development and Problems in the Teaching of English" by Alfred H. Grommon; (3) "The New Foreign Language…

This 20-item science test (18 multiple choice and 2 essay) is hand scored and has a 30 minute time limit. Analysis of raw scores by "t" test is provided. There has been limited field testing. See TM 000 959. (DLG)

This compilation includes virtually all the standardized science tests published since 1959 and available to the secondary and elementary school science teacher. The standardized tests have been arranged into seven sections: Elementary Science Tests, Biology Tests, Chemistry Tests, Earth Science Tests, General Science Tests, Physics Tests, and…

The Teachers' Guide to the materials based upon the syllabus for science courses for the first two years of secondary education in Scotland (SE 015 432) summarizes the syllabus, discusses the philosophy behind the course, suggests possible teaching methods, and comments upon assessment techniques. For each unit of the syllabus the specific…

This study attempted to develop a hierarchical scheme appropriate for theoretical science concepts and to empirically validate the scheme with a sample of sixth grade students. (Author/GO)

Reviews some of the ways researchers estimate readability with a focus on multiple choice test items in science. Presents criteria to consider for minimizing readability problems in test items. Examines samples from the National Assessment of Educational Progress test bank for readability. (ML)

The Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park is the setting for a one-day laboratory exercise and evaluation of high school students' understanding of physics. The concepts and general techniques measured and the park's resources are discussed. Sample student responses are included. (JN)

Investigated what abilities and objectives can be measured on practical tests. Results suggest that these tests be composed of separate parts which measure the ability to perform an experiment and the ability to interpret and analyze an experiment. A brief description of the Dutch school system is included. (JN)

Instructor's opinion, student questionnaires, differences in mean test scores of computer and noncomputer classes, and differences in performance on written class tests between users and nonusers of computer tests were analyzed to investigate whether learning improved with computerized tests. Suggestions on how teachers might make use of…

Successful reform of science education requires careful orchestration of a number of factors including technological developments, organizational issues, teacher preparation and enhancement, and advances in the scientific disciplines themselves. Exemplary innovations in exam practices that assess scientific understanding in new and more…