TAKS Science Update Shannon Miller Student Assessment Texas Education Agency

Item Development

Item Development Item Writing Items written by professional item writers Many writers are former or current Texas teachers Items are written based upon Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Items are grade appropriate

Item Development Internal Review Contractor brings approximately 300 items per grade level (500 for Exit Level) TEA Assessment & TEA Curriculum read, evaluate and edit items Items are checked for: Grade/TEKS Appropriateness Science Content Vocabulary Grammar

Item Development External Review Teachers review and edit items from Internal Review Committee member selection based upon demographics Recommendation forms available at ent/develop/recform.pdf

Item Development Field Testing Field testing only during primary administration Ten items embedded into each test form Exit Level Retests and TAKS-I contain no field test items

Item Development Data Review Committee of teachers Selected by the same process as External Item Review Teachers cannot edit items Items are placed in test bank or rejected

Next, the tests are built…

Grade 5 Science TAKS Blueprint ObjectivesNumber Tested Nature of Science13 Life Science9 Physical Science9 Earth/Space Science9 Total Items Tested40 Field Test Items10 Total Items50

Grade 5 Science TAKS Variety of Content Covers student expectations from grades 2,3,4 and 5 Use field test data to choose items Have targets in order to keep tests at the same difficulty level

Grade 5 Standards Committee of science educators Phase-in is complete Standard was set at 30 out of 40 Commended Performance ~37

Grade 8 Science TAKS Blueprint ObjectivesNumber Tested Nature of Science14 Living Systems and the Environment12 Structures and Properties of Matter6 Motion, Forces, and Energy6 Earth and Space Systems12 Total Items Tested50 Field Test Items10 Total Items60

Grade 8 Science TAKS First live test in Spring 2006 School accountability ratings in 2008 SBOE approved 33 for “Met Expectations” and 44 for “Commended Performance” Phase In: 2006 at 2 SEM = 27 and 2007 at 1 SEM ~30 Covers TEKS from grades 6, 7 and 8 Formula Chart with Ruler Periodic Table No calculators

Grade 10 Science TAKS ObjectivesNumber Tested Nature of Science17 Organization of Living Systems 11 Interdependence of Organisms 11 Structures and Properties of Matter8 Motion, Forces, and Energy8 Total Items Tested55 Field Test Items10 Total Items65

Grade 11 Science TAKS ObjectivesNumber Tested Nature of Science17 Organization of Living Systems 8 Interdependence of Organisms 8 Structures and Properties of Matter11 Motion, Forces, and Energy11 Total Items Tested55 Field Test Items10 Total Items65

High School Science Formula Chart with ruler Periodic Table Calculators allowed Covers TEKS from IPC and Biology Grade 10 Standard ~35 out of 55 Grade 11 Standard ~30 out of 55 ~50 for Commended Performance

Types of Items Multiple choice with four options Cluster Items Gridable Items Use only SI units

End-of Course Tests As a result of Governor Perry’s December 16, 2005 Executive Order RP53 Biology to be field tested in spring 2007 and becomes “live” in 2008 Chemistry and Physics to be field tested in spring 2008 and become “live” in 2009 Online only Voluntary

TAKS-Inclusive Science Grades 5, 8, 10 and Exit Level For students working at or near grade level No field test items Larger font, more white space Expanded accommodations similar to SDAA Same standards as TAKS Accountability in 2007

What is the best way to prepare my students for TAKS?

Teach the TEKS! Make sure each teacher has a copy of the appropriate Information Booklet Released tests are available for examples Laboratory work is necessary Join the science listserv Avoid test prep materials and TAKS “experts”

Study Guides are provided to students who do not meet the standard.

2007 Science Testing Calendar Grade 5 Science – April 19, 2007 Grade 8 Science – April 19, 2007 Grade 10 Science – April 19, 2007 Grade 11 Science February 22, 2007 (retest) April 19, 2007 (primary) July 12, 2007 (retest) Biology End-of-Course Field Test April 23-May 18, 2007

Shannon Miller (512)