The purpose of this study was to develop, field-test, and validate a useable, objectively-scored test for use with advanced undergraduate college students majoring in elementary education. The first of three tests was submitted to groups of professors and teachers for analysis and criticism. Part II, Form A and B, was developed from the revision…

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to develop a paper and pencil science process test for fifth-grade students based on some of the goals for grades 3-5 of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS); and (2) to use this test and other tests to compare fifth-grade students who had been in the SCIS program for five consecutive years…

Included are performance-based test items for students completing the Unit I, Level 1, Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) materials. There are 25 specific performance objectives listed in the beginning which are later followed by several test items for each. Correct answers are given for each test question. Observation techniques are…

This publication provides examples of test items which can be used to test the performance of students after completing activities of Unit 1, Level II, in the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) materials. A total of 30 performance-based objectives are listed by several question items. Correct answers are provided. The publication is…

The 1972 assessment activities in the Massachusetts schools concentrated on the areas of citizenship and science, utilizing two seventh grade samples of 10,000 students each, with each group completing only one assessment form. The testing program utilized National Assessment Items for age 13, as well as a few items from the Measurement Research…

Lists the tests available in 1987 from the Examinations Institute of the American Chemical Society. Provides test results from the 1985 Inorganic Chemistry Test, the 1986 Advanced High School Chemistry Test, the 1986 Organic Chemistry Test, and the updated 1985 General-Organic-Biological Chemistry Test. (TW)

Discusses the advantages of using a pretest in introductory agronomy courses. Provides a pretest that has been developed for use in an introductory crops course taught at Southern Illinois University. Includes 25 definitions, 17 true-false and multiple choice questions, and 6 short answer questions. (TW)

Presents study findings which supported the use of answer-until-correct tests. Discusses results based on responses of secondary students from England (N=387) that revealed that the answer-until-correct test of mechanical reasoning had similar findings to the spatial reasoning test. (ML)

Describes the purpose and possible uses of the new American Geological Institute/National Science Teachers Association Earth Science Examination. Provides an order blank for obtaining the test. Stresses that the test is specifically designed to test concepts and problem-solving ability. (CW)

Presents three examination questions, graded in difficulty, that explore the topic of potential energy surfaces using a diagrammatic approach. Provides and discusses acceptable solutions including diagrams. (CW)

Describes changes and effects of the Israeli paper-and-pencil matriculation examination in biology since first analysis in 1972. The examination has been significant for implementing an inquiry-oriented high school biology program based on the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. Implications for upgrading science education are discussed.…

Reports that no significant difference in reliability appeared between a heterogeneous and a homogeneous form of the same general science matching-item test administered to 316 sixth-grade students but that scores on the heterogeneous form of the test were higher, independent of the examinee's sex or intelligence. (SB)

This issue presents the results of a special analysis of NAEP state-by-state science data from 1996 to 2000 carried out by the Educational Testing Service under contract with the National Center for Education Statistics. The focus is on changes in the gap in scores between different groups of students. There were a few bright spots, but overall…

This issue of the Nation's Report Card for New Mexico highlights National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Science results for 2005. Key findings for Grade 4 indicate that there has been no significant change since 2000 in the average science score; average science score for Grade 8 has dropped since 1996. There has been no significant…

In a project on the development of performance assessments in science, researchers have developed four types of assessment: comparative, component identification, classification, and observation. They have noted that assessments belonging to the same type of task can be scored for the same performance properties. This paper reports on the…