This performance test is comprised of four activities, each with a specific objective(s), process skills, material for each pupil, procedure, and directions to the pupil. The four activity objectives are: I. Describe and classify objects by properties; II. Compare properties of objects to understand serial ordering; III. Describe and classify…

Describes the use of multiple choice tests as a method of motivation, using items that are open to differing interpretations, and deciding on the correct" answer by class vote after discussion. (AL)

Describes rationale for examining technical vocabulary in O-level and CSE (Certification of Secondary Education) chemistry papers/examinations. Identification and usage of technical/nontechnical terms were noted and analyzed, indicating no differences between the two examinations. Includes lists of frequency of chemical terms and words used in…

Responses from a stratified random sample of British elementary schools (64 of 102) found generally consistent practices in preparing students for national science achievement tests. Variations in time spent, approaches, and resources were related to variables of attainment, school size, class composition, and teacher's professional…

Compared is the mass of a dozen eggs with the mass of air in an empty refrigerator. An answer and reasons for the answer are provided. (YP)

An experimental study of 170 undergraduate biology students at a suburban community college revealed that the final evaluation of these students was based more heavily on verbal and written aspects of biology than on practical application of concepts. (IAH)

Analyzes construct validity of two different methods of assessing practical skills in advanced level biology by considering how candidates' scores on practical objectives relate to each other and to those on theory papers. Differences were found in the interrelationships among scores of the two methods. (ZWH)

A brief examination of the Chinese National University Entrance Examination (NUEE) and the unusual influence it has on physics teaching in China. An assessment is made of the problems the NUEE has created for teaching secondary school physics, and the trends of the reform of the Chinese NUEE. (AIM)

Discusses various aspects of standardization and testing in science education and their effects on students and on reform efforts. Argues that science educators need to begin to question the system and their practices with regard to testing and need to be willing to act on the answers they find. Contains 10 references. (JRH)

Compared four mapping item methods using data from the physical science test of the National Assessment of Educational Progress and studied the opinions of science content area experts about the difficulty of the items through a survey completed by 148 science teachers or scientists. Results of model-based mapping methods were more concordant with…

Seventh-grade science teacher Sonia Mangano stared at the results of her district's mid-year science assessment and asked herself, "Why is it my students seem to have trouble with matter-related ideas? Our district's spiral science curriculum builds on previous concepts from year to year. Yet these results show my students have difficulty with…

As Sweden drew nearer to the 2006 national election, two themes emerged in the educational debate: a concern for order and discipline in schools, and the ambition to raise educational levels of achievement. The objective of this article is to locate these two themes within a broader framework of understanding by: 1) discussing examples of how the…

This paper provides information about Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and TAKS (Accommodated) Phasing in End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments. The purpose of the tests is to: (1) Meet a state mandate; (2) Provide schools with student academic diagnostic information; (3) Determine prospective high school graduates' mastery of the state…

This paper provides information about Washington Assessment of Student Learning and the new High School Proficiency Exam. The purpose of the exam is to: (1) Determine prospective high school graduates' knowledge and skill levels relative to those needed for entry-level employment and postsecondary education; (2) Determine prospective high school…