The Teachers' Guide to the materials based upon the syllabus for science courses for the first two years of secondary education in Scotland (SE 015 432) summarizes the syllabus, discusses the philosophy behind the course, suggests possible teaching methods, and comments upon assessment techniques. For each unit of the syllabus the specific…

This study attempted to develop a hierarchical scheme appropriate for theoretical science concepts and to empirically validate the scheme with a sample of sixth grade students. (Author/GO)

Reviews some of the ways researchers estimate readability with a focus on multiple choice test items in science. Presents criteria to consider for minimizing readability problems in test items. Examines samples from the National Assessment of Educational Progress test bank for readability. (ML)

The Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park is the setting for a one-day laboratory exercise and evaluation of high school students' understanding of physics. The concepts and general techniques measured and the park's resources are discussed. Sample student responses are included. (JN)

Investigated what abilities and objectives can be measured on practical tests. Results suggest that these tests be composed of separate parts which measure the ability to perform an experiment and the ability to interpret and analyze an experiment. A brief description of the Dutch school system is included. (JN)

Instructor's opinion, student questionnaires, differences in mean test scores of computer and noncomputer classes, and differences in performance on written class tests between users and nonusers of computer tests were analyzed to investigate whether learning improved with computerized tests. Suggestions on how teachers might make use of…

Successful reform of science education requires careful orchestration of a number of factors including technological developments, organizational issues, teacher preparation and enhancement, and advances in the scientific disciplines themselves. Exemplary innovations in exam practices that assess scientific understanding in new and more…

This booklet contains released test items from the spring 2000 administration of the eighth grade mathematics and science tests of the Colorado Student Assessment Program. Items are released with the correct answers, and the scoring guide is included for selections from the constructed response portion of the science test. (SLD)

This report contains summaries of the results from the third administration of the fourth and sixth grade science and social studies portions of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP). These results are part of a long-term effort to gather data on the educational progress of Delaware students and to use the data to inform decisions about…

An internal assessment scheme has replaced a practical examination, allowing teachers to make their own assessments of students' practical ability in advanced level biology. Discusses questions and problems teachers have with the scheme, including practicality, frequency/timing of assessment, how to assess, and teacher role. (Author/JN)

Reported is a study involving six group administered tasks concerning proportional, probablistic, and correlational reasoning with 505 students aged 11.5 to 20.0 years. Investigated were the effectiveness of the tasks for assessing formal reasoning; categories of classification for students' responses and implications for teaching are suggested by…

Summarizes results of a questionnaire asking if the ASC standarized test influences what is taught in inorganic chemistry courses. Chief controlling factors are indicated to be: (1) instructor's preference and (2) textbook content. Suggestions are given to enhance amount of inorganic chemistry in undergraduate curricula. (Author/JN)

Describes an exam question which challenges college freshmen, enrolled in chemistry, to derive temperature dependence of an equilibrium constant. The question requires cognitive response at the level of synthesis. (Author/SA)

Describes a type of individual laboratory-activity examination developed for use in an undergraduate general physics class whose enrollment was more than 100 persons. Test preparation, procedure, evaluation, and outcomes are discussed. (BT)

Provides background information on Advanced Placement science courses and how colleges and universities handle credit for these courses. Argues that university and high school faculty could work together with great benefit to students. (DDR)