Research in Standards-Based Science Assessment

Wested, San Francisco CA

Investigators

Abstract

This project seeks to conduct research on the types of science assessment measures that provide data on student outcomes that are useful, accurate, and allow valid inferences. The goal of the project is to help Systemic Initiatives to measure the impact of their efforts to improve student learning in science and to use assessment results to inform and improve instruction. The questions addressed by the project are such things as: "what types of measures best inform standards-base instruction? Does exposure to inquiry-based science instruction improve scores on some components of standards-based science assessment more than others? How do teachers use results from assessment to inform practice? Will training change instruction?" The study will recruit a sample of schools in California at elementary, middle, and high school levels and administer a pre- and post-test, a teacher interview and a student interview and survey questionnaire. These data will be analyzed in a multidimensional item response model.