Science Network Update 13 November 2007 Sunny Minelli Weiland Jamie Reeger

Good Morning and Thank You! What do you know about Science Assessment Anchors and Assessment? What are your pressing questions?

No Child Left Behind 2 Primary Goals: 1.Improve student achievement overall 2.Narrow the achievement gap between students of different backgrounds

Pennsylvania Academic Standards The STEE Standards Act 24 - January 22, 1993 (The Environment Act), stipulated that the Department of Education conduct a periodic evaluation of school-based environmental education in this Commonwealth Chapter 4 - January 16, 1999, established the Academic Standards and Assessments

PA STEE Standards PA Academic Standards for –Science and Technology, July 12, 2001 –Environment and Ecology, January 5, 2002 –These standards describe what students should know and be able to do by the end of fourth, seventh, tenth and twelfth grade

Pennsylvania Academic Standards Act 16 (Senate Bill 652) - May 3, 2000, defined the PSSA as a test developed and implemented by the Department of Education to determine only academic achievement relating directly to objective academic standards in the areas of Reading, Mathematics and Science No Child Left Behind – January 8, 2002 September 19, State Board Adoption of NCLB House Bill 35 – January 4, 2007

Pennsylvania Academic Standards Define what each student should know and do in a core set of subjects Provide consistent targets for students, teachers, and districts Allow districts to measure student achievement

Assessment Anchor Content Standards Support for inquiry-based learning, investigative, experimental, multisensory instruction Core knowledge of the PSSA content

Test Design and Blueprint

Test Composition 50% Nature of Science (Inquiry) 50% Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences (Content)

2008 Test Blueprint Reporting Category Grade 4Grade 8Grade 11 The Nature of Science Biological Sciences Physical Sciences Earth and Space Sciences Total Points66 points 72 points

2008 PSSA Science Test Format Total Number of Multiple Choice Items per Student Total Number of Open-Ended Items per Student Total Number of points (Common Items Only) Grade Approx. Length Commo n Items Common Scenario Items Matrix Items Field Test Items Common SOE Items (2 points each) Common Scenario Items ( 4 points each) Matrix Items Field Test items Number of Score Points per Student Minutes 2 Sections 56 No Scenario = Minutes 2 Sections No OE Scenario Item = Minutes 3 Sections EOE = 72

Important Features to Know e.g.- The list is made up of examples but are not limited to those given i.e.- The list is limited to those specific examples given

Important Features to Know Or - a student can be assessed on all or just some of the elements in the Eligible Content And - the intent is to assess each element in the Eligible Content

AYP Student Proficiency Targets by Year

Assessment Anchor Content Standards Implementation Timeline Assessment Anchors –Released Summer 2005 Item and Scoring Sampler –Late December 2005

Assessment Anchor Content Standards and Eligible Content ( PSSA) PA STEE Standards (minimum requirement for the Local Assessment Plan) District Curriculum (Strategic Plan)

Science and Technology 3.1 Unifying Themes 3.2 Inquiry and Design 3.3 Biological Sciences 3.4 Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics 3.5 Earth Sciences 3.6 Technological Education 3.7 Technological Devices 3.8 Science, Technology and Human Endeavors Glossary

Environment and Ecology 4.1 Watersheds and Wetlands 4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources 4.3 Environmental Health 4.4 Agriculture and Society 4.5 Integrated Pest Management 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interaction 4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species 4.8 Humans and the Environment 4.9 Environmental Laws and Regulations Glossary

Science Assessment Anchors Incorporate PA Academic Standards for Science & Technology and Environment & Ecology Assessment Anchors Content Standards are Intended to Simplify

Assessment Anchors Provide… Clear focus of the non-negotiable Core knowledge of the “must know” Design for the PSSA Connections between the PSSA and classroom instruction Standards-based school district curriculum Support for inquiry-based learning, investigative, experimental, multi-sensory instruction

Assessment Anchors are Okay!! Clarity Focus Alignment Grade appropriate skills Curricular flow Rigor Manageability

Reporting Categories Connections to Standards A. The Nature of Science 3.1 Unifying Themes of Science 3.2 Inquiry and Design 3.6 Technology Education 3.7 Technological Devices 3.8 Science, Technology, and Human Endeavors 4.4 Agriculture and Society 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions 4.7 Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species 4.8 Humans and the Environment B. Biological Science 3.1 Unifying Themes of Science 3.3 Biological Sciences 4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources 4.3 Environmental Health 4.6 Ecosystems and Their Interactions 4.7 Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species C. Physical Sciences 3.2 Inquiry and Design 3.4 Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics 3.6 Earth Sciences D. Earth and Space Sciences 3.2 Inquiry and Design 3.4 Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics 3.5 Earth Sciences 3.7 Technological Devices 4.1 Watersheds and Wetlands 4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources 4.8 Humans and the Environment

The KEYS to Assessment Anchors Reporting Category –Subcategory Assessment Anchor Reference to PA Standard Eligible Content Sample Items

Science Reporting Categories  SA The Nature of Science  SB Biological Science  SC Physical Sciences  SD Earth & Space Sciences

With Subcategories  A The Nature of Science 1.Reasoning and Analysis 2.Processes, Procedures and Tools for Scientific Investigation 3.Systems, Models, and Patterns

With Subcategories  B Biological Sciences 1.Structure and Function of Organisms 2.Continuity of Life 3.Ecological Behavior and Systems

With Subcategories  C Physical Sciences 1.Structure, Properties, and Interactions of Matter and Energy 2.Forms, Sources, Conversions, and Transfer of Energy 3.Principals of Forces and Motion

With Subcategories  D Earth and Space Sciences 1.Earth Features and Processes that Change Earth and Its Resources 2.Weather, Climate, and Atmospheric Processes 3.Composition and Structure of the Universe

The Nature of Science Pennsylvania Science Physical Sciences Biological Sciences Earth and Space Sciences Reasoning Analysis Processes Procedures Patterns Models Systems Designs

Subcategory : S8.A.1 Reasoning and Analysis Reporting Category: S8.A The Nature of Science Standard Strand 3.2 Inquiry and Design (Grade 7) A. Explain and apply scientific and technological knowledge. Distinguish between a scientific theory and a belief. Answer “What if” questions based on observation, inference or prior knowledge or experience. Explain how skepticism about an accepted scientific explanation led to a new understanding. Explain how new information may change existing theories and practice. StandardStandard AnchorAnchor PA Academic Standards Reporting Categories Subcategories Assessment Anchors Descriptors Eligible Content ASSESSMENT ANCHOR S8.A.1 1 Explain, interpret and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (e.g., visuals, scenarios, graphs). Reference: A, B ELIGIBLE CONTENT S8.A Distinguish between a scientific theory and an opinion, explaining how a theory is supported with evidence, or how new data/ information may change existing theories and practice.

Assessment Anchor Coding with Eligible Content S4.A Science GradeLevel Sub-Category AssessmentAnchor EligibleContent Reporting Category

Eligible Content The Eligible Content is often known as the “assessment limits” and helps teachers identify how the anchor will be assessed. Not all of the Eligible Content will be assessed on the PSSA each year, but it shows the range of knowledge drawn upon to design the test.

Science Assessment

Recent History of Science Assessment Tested 15 Cognitive Labs in 2006 Penn Hills Pittsburgh Penn-Trafford Grove City Lower Merion Haverford Township Philadelphia City Upper Merion Newport West Shore Manheim Township State College Wilkes-Barre Mid-Valley Athens Area

More Assessment! April 23 to May 4, 2007: Field Test –To establish valid questions –To establish performance thresholds –No results will be reported April 28 to May 9, 2008: Operational Science PSSA in Grades 4, 8, and 11 Statewide (Mandated by NCLB) –Embedded Field Test

Test Composition 50% Nature of Science (Inquiry) 50% Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences (Content)

2008 Test Blueprint Reporting Category Grade 4Grade 8Grade 11 The Nature of Science Biological Sciences Physical Sciences Earth and Space Sciences Total Points66 points 72 points

2008 PSSA Science Test Format Total Number of Multiple Choice Items per Student Total Number of Open-Ended Items per Student Total Number of points (Common Items Only) Grade Approx. Length Commo n Items Common Scenario Items Matrix Items Field Test Items Common SOE Items (2 points each) Common Scenario Items ( 4 points each) Matrix Items Field Test items Number of Score Points per Student Minutes 2 Sections 56 No Scenario = Minutes 2 Sections No OE Scenario Item = Minutes 3 Sections EOE = 72

Getting to know the Multiple Choice 4 th Grade Assessment –Multiple Choice ~ 1 point 8 th Grade Assessment –Multiple Choice ~ 1 point –Also contains Scenario with 4 Multiple Choice ~ 1 point each

Getting to know the “Short Open Ended” 4 th Grade Assessment –Short Open Ended ~ 2 points 8 th Grade Assessment –Short Open Ended ~ 2 points