Discusses the need to develop laboratory practical examinations in chemistry which attempt to measure students higher order thinking skills and conceptual understanding rather than simply their laboratory skills. Examples of examination questions being used in general chemistry laboratory courses at the State University of New York at Cortland are…

Explains the convergent and discriminant validity of two tests of science process skills with two tests of formal reasoning ability. Reports test results from elementary education majors and discusses the tests' intercorrelations. Implications related to instruction are analyzed. (ML)

Discusses the use of a microcomputer in the assessment of middle school pupils in science classes. Describes experimental details, the computer program, test procedures, and results. Concluded that pupils benefit from the immediate feedback provided by computer assessment compared to traditional methods. (CW)

Reports on a study using two alternatives for evaluating the quality of teaching and courses in an undergraduate engineering program. Results indicate that the relationship between a global problem and individual questions is highly correlated. (TW)

Describes an evaluation program which is aimed at providing well-designed, comprehensive, and objective tests to a specific category of engineering students. Involves the use of a computerized statistical analysis. Provides recommendations for organizing such an activity. (TW)

This study assessed the extent to which the science content knowledge, process skills, and attitudes of some Grade 7 students improved after the implementation of the Jamaican reform of secondary education (RSEO) science curriculum. Relationships among gender, school location, and student performance were also investigated. The study sample of 156…

This study examined state and national benchmarks and standards for K-12 science instruction, curricular goals, and objectives for K-12 science, state, and national assessments that measure student achievement in science and student use of computers and technology for science in grades K-12. The study used survey data and student achievement…

Performance Assessment in Learning Science (PALS) is an on-line (http://www.ctl.sri.com/pals), standards-based, continually updated resource bank of science performance assessment tasks. This paper presents a case study of an urban school district that had an opportunity to access the PALS Web site during the 1999-2000 school year. It details what…

In this answer booklet, students record their answers to the practice test items for the Ohio Proficiency Tests for grade 6. The practice tests represent the subject tests for writing, reading, mathematics, citizenship, and science. The writing tests allow space for essays based on writing prompts. The items from the other tests are in…

This booklet contains the practice tests for the fourth-grade Ohio Proficiency Tests. The work students do on these tests helps the teacher know how well the student understands the subjects of reading, writing, mathematics, citizenship, and science. The writing test consists of two writing tasks. The other tests are made up of multiple choice,…

Describes a Scottish research project--Technique for Assessment of Practical Skills in Foundation Science (TAPS)--to identify practical laboratory skills that students should acquire and to produce methods of formative and summative evaluation of these skills. Examples of appropriate practical objectives, test items, and evaluation criteria are…

Reliability, validity, and standards-setting procedure for a criterion-referenced test (Test of Metric Skills) were examined for use in science curricula. Results indicate a number of factors influencing test reliability/validity and that science teachers need to be aware of these factors to enhance accuracy of their judgments. (Author/JN)

Examines Toledo Chemistry Placement Examination results for 3,227 students entering University of Toledo during 1977-1980, focusing on general trends developed during the period and on chemical and mathematical concepts, identifying some of the misconceptions high school students bring to their college studies. (Author/JN)

Explains the unique benefits of using simulation software in place of physical experiments testing in high school science. Supplies detailed examples of students' usage. A sidebar presents vendors of simulation packages. (AEF)

Describes a project to determine the impact of weekly quizzing on student performance in general chemistry. Notes final exam scores were the same for students who took weekly quizzes as for students who took the quizzes but not for credit. Explores several possible explanations. (MVL)