TAKS, Inquiry, Standards and Assessment

NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS Inquiry into authentic questions generated from student experiences is the central strategy for teaching science. Encourage and model the skills of scientific inquiry, as well as the curiosity, openness to new ideas and skepticism that characterize science. In the vision presented by the Standards, inquiry is a step beyond ''science as a process," in which students learn skills, such as observation, inference, and experimentation. The new vision includes the "processes of science" and requires that students combine processes and scientific knowledge as they use scientific reasoning and critical thinking to develop their understanding of science.

Engaging students in inquiry helps develop: Understanding of scientific concepts. An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science. Understanding of the nature of science. Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world. The dispositions to use the skills, abilities, and attitudes associated with science.

Texas Essential Skills and Knowledge The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. (A)  plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology; (B)  collect data by observing and measuring; (C)  analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence; (D)  communicate valid conclusions; and (E)  construct graphs, tables, maps, and charts using tools including computers to organize, examine, and evaluate data.

Research meets Practice Research has shown that inquiry is the best method for developing scientific literacy We learn best by doing rather than memorizing facts and objectives, but…. Research also shows that in a high stakes testing environment, we will narrow methods to the most efficient manner to cover curriculum

The TAKS test is supposed to measure learning, not become the goal of instruction

What concepts and skills must be understood to answer this TAKS question? The model above is set up to show how a lunar eclipse occurs. What is the greatest limitation of this model? For these types of questions, experience with models and critical thinking is more valuable than memorization

The picture shows the results of an experiment to investigate the effect of light on plant growth. The conclusion is weakened by the — For questions such as these, students need experience with experimental design and evaluation of evidence.

Data and graphs can be intimidating to the inexperienced. When students manage their own data that they have generated, graphs begin to make sense. Inquiry helps students to evaluate and make meaning of data.

Reasons to Resist teacher centered instruction Our national and state standards encourage us to teach by using learner-centered inquiry There is not enough time to ‘cover’ every objective in depth Many TAKS test items involve higher order thinking skills(application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation) that are developed, not memorized It disengages students from a love of learning Give a man a fish………or teach a man to fish?

From the National Science Education Standards Science as inquiry is basic to science education and a controlling principle in the ultimate organization and selection of students' activities. The standards on inquiry highlight the ability to conduct inquiry and develop understanding about scientific inquiry. Students at all grade levels and in every domain of science should have the opportunity to use scientific inquiry and develop the ability to think and act in ways associated with inquiry, including asking questions, planning and conducting investigations, using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data, thinking critically and logically about relationships between evidence and explanations, constructing and analyzing alternative explanations, and communicating scientific arguments.