Meetings

Publications and Products

PURPOSE/INTENT

The purpose of the SCASS Science Education Assessment Project is to develop a wide variety of assessment measures for use at the state and local levels. These measures include selected-response and constructed-response exercises, hands-on performance events, and instructionally imbedded performance tasks, as well as professional development and portfolio assessment materials, all based on a consensus framework of state science content frameworks.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE

Since its inception in 1992, the SCASS Science Education Assessment Project has achieved a number of significant accomplishments. First, through four developmental phases, over 1300 innovative assessment exercises have been created, including science investigations, hands-on performance exercises, constructed-response items, and selected-response exercises. Second, a collection of portfolio activities has been developed, and hundreds of teachers have used these activities to transform science teaching and learning at the elementary and secondary levels. Third, the project has engaged in innovative development work to create student and teacher surveys of enacted curriculum to help study how science is taught and learned, a useful adjunct in the reform of science teaching.

Fourth, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, the project developed a CD ROM incorporating all 1300 science assessment items and tasks developed over the three previous phases of the project into one easy-to-use resource for states, districts, and schools. Organized by modules, events, and tasks and linked by content, the assessment pool is accessible through three search options: a multi-attribute search, an item code search, and a word search. In addition, the CD includes all other materials that have been developed by the SCASS Science, including the portfolio guide, professional development materials, surveys of enacted curriculum, and other assessment-related resources.

Fifth, answering to the needs of the No Child Left behind legislation, the project aligned the 1300 items to the National Science Standards using the Norman Webb alignment model. This alignment not only creates a means for verification of the curriculum but also establishes a vehicle for instructional improvement.

WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

In the winter of 2004, the alignment will be incorporated into the item pool CD allowing the user to choose a particular standard and then through an interactive interface, be presented with a list of items meeting that standard. Or, conversely, the user can select an item and be given the standard(s) that align with that item. To augment the dissemination of the CD and assist in its application, the project continues to provide support for the implementation of training activities and professional development for state and local staff in the use of the CD.

STAFF CONTACT

David Heil, Coordinator, dheil@davidheil.com

PARTICIPATING STATES IN 2006-2007

Alabama	Iowa
Arizona	North Carolina
Connecticut	Nebraska
Delaware	West Virginia
Hiwaii	Wyoming