The data suggest a pattern of overall improvement among students in the Southeast and notable improvements among Blacks in the Southeast in reading at ages 9 and 13 and in science at age 9. The article speculates on reasons for these improvements. (Author/IRT)

A simulated Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) was administered to 39 premedical students two weeks prior to the new MCAT. High correlations between simulated and active test scores were obtained in the biology, chemistry, physics, science problems, reading, and quantitative areas. (MH)

So far, results from the massive Third International Mathematics and Science Study indicate that American students have not yet achieved national goal number 5--to be first in the world in math and science achievement by 2000. Although fourth graders' results were surprisingly stronger than eighth graders' scores, American students' overall…

Whether differences in mean scores among gender and racial/ethnic groups on science performance assessments are comparable to those for traditional tests was studied with 2,000 students in grades five, six, and nine. Overall, results suggest that the type of test has little effect on these differences in scores. (SLD)

Investigated are the context dependency and construct validity of practical skill assessment in science which may include the skills of observing, manipulating, planning, interpreting, reporting, and self-reliance. Pupil performance on a variety of practical tasks were compared with external examination grades in biology and chemistry. (CW)

Presented is a criticism of the instructions given for and the scoring of the Draw-a-Scientist test (Chambers, 1983). A response to this criticism by authors who employ this method is included. (CW)

Described is a curriculum survey of general chemistry courses at the college level and an evaluation survey of the advanced placement chemistry examination. Results indicated that the AP chemistry course should remain broad in coverage and should expand its laboratory component. Analyses also indicated that the AP exam was appropriate and valid.…

Investigates Israeli students' (grades four through nine) knowledge regarding the concept of a "gas" prior to and following instruction. Reports that students do not spontaneously develop a general idea of gas prior to instruction, and only after instruction do they first acquire this knowledge. Suggests three implications for…

Describes an exercise designed for an introductory level calculus-based physics class. Presents a problem on why a rod dipped in water is stable when it is oriented at an angle with the vertical. Discusses qualitative understanding, mechanical understanding using equations, and experimental verification of the problem. (YP)

The relationships between mathematical competencies possessed by students and selected student characteristics at the beginning of a semester were examined. The relationship between test scores and the type of mathematics courses taken during the semester students were enrolled in an introductory biology course were also investigated. (Author/CW)

Discusses instruments for measuring interest in biology: "Interest in Science Topics"; "Learning Mode Preference"; "Interest in Scientific Activities"; "Activities Motives Inventory"; "Interest in Social Aspects of Science"; "Career Orientation Inventory"; and "Attitude toward Biology Study." Concludes that interest in biology may be…

Investigated are the reasons why eleventh-grade Israeli students intend to enroll for a biology, chemistry, or physics course. Topics, activities, motives, attitudes, and grades in the subjects in year 10 are used as predictor variables for correlational analysis. (YP)

The grading of high school physics students as a function of conceptual versus nonconceptual performance is investigated. The nonconceptual means a routine substitution in equations or direct recall. Students scoring highest on one type of question are far from distinguished on another type of question. (YP)

Outlines a procedure used to develop a written diagnostic instrument to identify misconceptions and misunderstandings of the chemistry topic. Reports the characteristic data for the instrument, and student understanding of covalent bonding and structure. (Author/YP)

Summarizes "The Science Report Card" representing the fifth assessment by National Assessment of Education Progress done in 1986. Discusses the trends and reasons of the report data. (YP)