THE USE OF SIX 16-MILLIMETER FILMS IN CHEMISTRY CLASSES WAS SUPPLEMENTED BY PURCHASE OF THEIR 8-MILLIMETER CARTRIDGE VERSIONS AND PROJECTION EQUIPMENT TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO VIEW THE FILMS AS AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROCEDURE. STUDY GUIDES, QUIZZES AND EVALUATION FORMS WERE PREPARED FOR USE BY INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS. TOTAL COST FOR THE PROJECT WAS…

This paper, intended as an introduction to attitude scale construction, outlines the theory behind attitude measurement and describes the Thurstone and Likert methods of attitude scale construction. The methodology is illustrated with examples from the construction of a scale the authors developed to measure attitudes to technology and industry.…

This volume replaces and updates a prior publication (January 1973) of unpublished evaluation instruments in science education. The six chapters of the publication describe instruments classified into: (1) those assessing student achievement in knowledge and understanding of science facts, principles, and concepts (grouped according to science…

An instrument was developed to assess attitudes about science and administered to 505 fourth, fifth and sixth grade pupils. Attitudinal objectives found in the literature were selected and defined in behavioral terms by a panel of judges. Items for the Science Attitude Scale (SAS) were based on selected objectives and revised to appropriate…

A set of Tests of Scientific Thinking were developed for possible use as criterion measures in research on creativity. Scores on the tests describe both quality and quantity of ideas produced in formulating hypotheses, evaluating proposals, solving methodological problems, and devising methods for measuring constructs. (Author/CTM)

Examines trends in science testing and discusses its impact on science instruction. Presents data on each state's assessment program in science for grades K-8. Identifies the type of test, grade tested, the scope and frequency, and the contact person for each of the 50 states. (ML)

The authors discuss the following questions: Who should run a GED (General Educational Development) program? How should the program be administered? How can schools best prepare their students to take the GED tests? (CT)

Provides information on the American Chemical Society's (ACS) 1986 testing program, listing currently available tests (includes five new tests). Also provides condensed norms for ACS examinations, including high school chemistry forms 1985 and 1985-S, general-organic-biological chemistry form 1985, general chemistry (brief version) form 1985-B,…

Science assessments done in British Columbia in 1978 and 1982 analyzed students' weaknesses and teachers' perceived needs. Appropriate inservice programs were identified. Conforming to other findings, the teachers wanted to be involved in initiating, planning, and conducting the programs, e.g., informal meetings or workshops with other teachers…

Explores parallels between understanding of chemistry for younger teenagers with the learning of a language by younger children. Also discusses: (1) teacher perspective and the development of core science; (2) religion and science; and (3) the physics examinations of the Department of Science and Art. (JN)

Investigated the validity of the assumption that arranging items in objective tests in order of increasing difficulty increases student motivation and produces more reliable tests. Results indicate that test reliability was largely independent of item sequence. (Author/JN)

Describes a test writing program for a 48K memory Apple microcomputer with lower-case capability. The program permits the production of any number of different tests and also different forms of the same multiple-choice or essay test. (JN)

Indicates that the language in which a multiple-choice question is couched may be a significant factor in student performance. Effects of changing key words, terms of quantity, negative to positive forms, and from passive to active voice are discussed. Also discusses the effect of rewording long or complex questions. (JN)

This study explored some aspects of reasoning needed to complete science performance assessments, i.e., students' hands-on investigations scored for the scientific justifiability of the findings. The reasoning demands of science performance assessments were studied focusing on three dimensions identified from a previous analysis of data from the…

This study examined the role of affect and conation in high school students science test performance, using a sample of 491 students. It provides a profile of partial corrections of standardized multiple-choice and constructed response test scores with affect and conation scores (after accounting for general ability and student background) at…