In recent years, a number of curriculum reform projects have championed the notion of having students do science in ways that move beyond hands-on work with authentic materials and methods, or developing a conceptual grasp of current theories. These reformers have argued that students should come to an understanding of science through doing the…

Discusses formative evaluation (those evaluation activities carried out while a curriculum is still being developed) and relates this to the development of the Individualized Science (IS) program at the University of Pittsburgh. (PEB)

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.…

Science curriculum evaluation studies (1963-1978) were examined to assess impact of innovative curricula compared with traditional curricula on student learning outcomes. Results suggest students in secondary school science courses scored moderately better than students in traditional courses on innovative and neutral tests and negligibly lower on…

Investigates whether information about new National Science Foundation sponsored elementary science curricula was not being effectively communicated to the appropriate persons, thus hindering the selection and adoption of those curricula. (GA)

A conceptual model, which provides insight into the individual concerns that teachers adopting a new program may express, was employed in a study of science teachers (N=139) adopting the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS). Results from a 35-item instrument (Stages of Concern Questionnaire), demographic data, and recommendations are…