Concept maps provided a measure of subjects' cognitive structures before and after completion of an environmental education course. Concept maps were constructed from expressions taken from the issue "global climate." Expressions were assigned to one of three domains: science, technology or society. Maps were analyzed by constituent…

The "Habitat" learning system was designed by TVOntario's Children's Programming department for junior-level students. It consists of 20 programs (each 15 minutes long), a teacher's guide, and a magazine for students. Three major objectives of the series were to (1) instruct children in scientific principles relating to habitats; (2)…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Biology Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Anticipated Final Grades and Scores on the…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Chemistry Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Combining Performance and Participation:…

Fifth and ninth graders in United States schools scored significantly higher in the Second International Science Study than did their counterparts in the first study conducted in 1970. Differences between the responses of males and females in 1983 were also noteworthy, especially at the 12th-grade level. (PGD)

This research sought to examine the link between different situational demands, in this case three different types of science achievement tests (multiple-choice, constructed response, and performance assessments), and perceptions, beliefs, and performance of 491 high school students. The students were characterized by three well-established…

The low performance of Chile in the TIMSS 1999 international study of mathematics and science achievement was a great disappointment. To investigate the likely causes for low performance in mathematics, this study 1) compared Chile to three countries and one large school system that had comparable economic conditions but superior mathematics…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has served as the only ongoing monitor of student achievement in the United States across time. This report summarizes major findings from 10 administrations of the long-term reading assessment since 1971, 9 administrations of the long-term trend mathematics assessment since 1973, and 10…

This paper describes the development, administration, and results of an instrument to assess changes in students' science abilities as they progress from ninth grade through twelfth grade. Standard science tests commonly in use in schools to measure high school science students' achievement are content specific. Although these tests are useful…

The Board on International Comparative Studies in Education (BICSE) was established by the National Research Council (NRC) in 1988 at the request of the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Under its initial mandate, the board monitored U.S. participation in…

The first decade of education reform in Massachusetts focused on setting--for the first time--rigorous, statewide academic standards, establishing high-quality tests tied to those standards, and successfully implementing a graduation requirement staked to minimally acceptable skills. Substantial new state funding provided support for the goals of…

Discusses reasons for implementing multicultural science education in classrooms across the country. Examines classroom demographics, the need for a more scientifically literate populace, the demand for more scientists and engineers, and the demand for social justice. Contains 16 references. (LZ)

Reviews seven computer applications for science assessment including conventional, multiple-choice, constructed-response, adaptive, figural response, simulation, and an emerging approach to performance assessment termed solution pathway analysis. Virtually all computer-based testing systems are found to improve the quality and efficiency of record…

Suggests that, based on a theory of situated learning, assessment must emphasize process as much as product. Several assessment examples are given, including a computer-based planning assistant for a mathematics and science video, suggestions for computer-based portfolio assessment, and speculations about embedded assessment of virtual situations.…

The extent to which students' home characteristics, school factors, teaching and learning variables account for the variance of a measure of students' (n=2059) attitude toward science was investigated. The results indicate that most students come from homes that may not foster positive attitudes toward science and that variables that could lead to…