Assessing Student Understanding in Science

A Standards-Based K-12 Handbook
Second Edition
Sandra K. Enger - University of Alabama at Huntsville
Robert E. Yager - University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
Assessing Student Understanding in Science
October 2009 | 216 pages | Corwin
Create Flyer

Purchase

eBook
ISBN: 9781452272436
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412969932
Available from January 0001

Description

"In this second edition, Enger and Yager expand their previous work by suggesting new assessments and more clearly connecting their assessments with the National Science Education Standards. For classroom teachers, this book offers a range of suggestions that can enhance instruction. For science teacher educators, this book is an invaluable and handy resource in working with beginning, new, or experienced science teachers."
—Julie A. Luft, Professor of Science Education
Arizona State University

Create and customize assessments to determine student understanding in six domains of science!

Carefully designed assessments can give teachers the information they need to improve instruction and help students meet educational goals and objectives. This updated resource offers a multifaceted approach to measure what students know and can do as a result of their learning experiences.

Assessing Student Understanding in Science provides educators with essential methods to best assess student proficiency and performance in science. The authors provide an extensive collection of strategies and examples for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Aligned with national science standards, the book includes:

  • Criteria to measure student progress in six critical domains of science—concepts, processes, applications, attitude, creativity, and the nature of science
  • Strategies to evaluate your teaching practice, such as action research, video recordings, and journaling
  • Information about using formative assessments to inform teaching
  • Methods for assessing student work using portfolios, self-evaluations, and rubrics
  • An introduction to using science notebooks as assessment tools

With the proven frameworks in this book, teachers can build customized assessments to meet instructional needs and prepare students to succeed in science.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. A Framework for Assessing Student Understanding in Science
  • Assessment Based on Six Domains of Science
  • I. Conceptual Domain
  • II. Process Domain
  • III. Application Domain
  • IV. Attitude Domain
  • V. Creativity Domain
  • VI. Nature of Science Domain
  • Assessment Approaches Aligned With the Six Domains
  • 2. Assessment in the Contexts of Teaching
  • Planning Instruction and Assessment
  • What Assessment Is
  • Formative and Summative Assessment
  • Assessment Types and Approaches
  • National Science Education Assessment Standards
  • Implementing Assessment Guidelines
  • The Internet as an Assessment Resource
  • 3. Evaluating Teaching Practice
  • Action Research
  • Assessment of Classroom Practice With Video Recording Support
  • Sources of Instrumentation for Assessing Practice
  • Self-Assessment of Constructivist Practice
  • Science-as-Inquiry Surveys
  • 4. Rubrics and Scoring Guides
  • Rubrics and Scoring Guides: What Are They?
  • Rubric Construction: A Teacher's Perspective
  • Rubric or Scoring Guide Design
  • Examples of Tasks and Rubrics
  • How Well Does a Rubric Communicate the Original Task?
  • 5. Science Notebooks
  • Science Notebooks: Formative and Summative Assessment Tools
  • Notebook Scaffolds
  • Assessment Components for Notebooks
  • Supporting Graphing Skills and Abilities
  • 6. Assessment Examples for All Grade Levels
  • Open-Ended Questions (Integrates Domains)
  • Student Laboratory Environment Inventory (Integrates Domains)
  • Ideas for Assessing in the Application Domain
  • Observation Checklist (Integrates Domains)
  • Use of Application-Level Multiple-Choice Questions
  • Examples for the Creativity Domain
  • Assessing Attitudes, Preferences, and Processes
  • 7. Assessment Examples for Grades K Through 4
  • Applying Process Skills and Experimental Design
  • Application Assessment Items for Grades K Through 3
  • Assessing Attitudes About Science
  • Student Self-Assessment
  • Assessing Perceptions About Scientists
  • 8. Assessment Examples for Grades 5 Through 8
  • Developing a Group Performance Task
  • Preparation for Standardized Tests
  • Electronic Portfolios for Students
  • Structuring Peer Assessment for Cooperative Groups
  • Class Assessment of Group Project Presentations
  • 9. Assessment Examples for Grades 9 Through 12
  • Using the Student Laboratory Environment Inventory
  • Looking at Science Processes
  • Assessing Specific Areas of Understanding
  • Assessing Students' Views of the Scientific Process

Glossary of Assessment-Related Terminology

Glossary of Assessment-Related Terminology

References

References

Index

Index

Description

"In this second edition, Enger and Yager expand their previous work by suggesting new assessments and more clearly connecting their assessments with the National Science Education Standards. For classroom teachers, this book offers a range of suggestions that can enhance instruction. For science teacher educators, this book is an invaluable and handy resource in working with beginning, new, or experienced science teachers."
—Julie A. Luft, Professor of Science Education
Arizona State University

Create and customize assessments to determine student understanding in six domains of science!

Carefully designed assessments can give teachers the information they need to improve instruction and help students meet educational goals and objectives. This updated resource offers a multifaceted approach to measure what students know and can do as a result of their learning experiences.

Assessing Student Understanding in Science provides educators with essential methods to best assess student proficiency and performance in science. The authors provide an extensive collection of strategies and examples for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Aligned with national science standards, the book includes:

  • Criteria to measure student progress in six critical domains of science—concepts, processes, applications, attitude, creativity, and the nature of science
  • Strategies to evaluate your teaching practice, such as action research, video recordings, and journaling
  • Information about using formative assessments to inform teaching
  • Methods for assessing student work using portfolios, self-evaluations, and rubrics
  • An introduction to using science notebooks as assessment tools

With the proven frameworks in this book, teachers can build customized assessments to meet instructional needs and prepare students to succeed in science.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. A Framework for Assessing Student Understanding in Science
  • Assessment Based on Six Domains of Science
  • I. Conceptual Domain
  • II. Process Domain
  • III. Application Domain
  • IV. Attitude Domain
  • V. Creativity Domain
  • VI. Nature of Science Domain
  • Assessment Approaches Aligned With the Six Domains
  • 2. Assessment in the Contexts of Teaching
  • Planning Instruction and Assessment
  • What Assessment Is
  • Formative and Summative Assessment
  • Assessment Types and Approaches
  • National Science Education Assessment Standards
  • Implementing Assessment Guidelines
  • The Internet as an Assessment Resource
  • 3. Evaluating Teaching Practice
  • Action Research
  • Assessment of Classroom Practice With Video Recording Support
  • Sources of Instrumentation for Assessing Practice
  • Self-Assessment of Constructivist Practice
  • Science-as-Inquiry Surveys
  • 4. Rubrics and Scoring Guides
  • Rubrics and Scoring Guides: What Are They?
  • Rubric Construction: A Teacher's Perspective
  • Rubric or Scoring Guide Design
  • Examples of Tasks and Rubrics
  • How Well Does a Rubric Communicate the Original Task?
  • 5. Science Notebooks
  • Science Notebooks: Formative and Summative Assessment Tools
  • Notebook Scaffolds
  • Assessment Components for Notebooks
  • Supporting Graphing Skills and Abilities
  • 6. Assessment Examples for All Grade Levels
  • Open-Ended Questions (Integrates Domains)
  • Student Laboratory Environment Inventory (Integrates Domains)
  • Ideas for Assessing in the Application Domain
  • Observation Checklist (Integrates Domains)
  • Use of Application-Level Multiple-Choice Questions
  • Examples for the Creativity Domain
  • Assessing Attitudes, Preferences, and Processes
  • 7. Assessment Examples for Grades K Through 4
  • Applying Process Skills and Experimental Design
  • Application Assessment Items for Grades K Through 3
  • Assessing Attitudes About Science
  • Student Self-Assessment
  • Assessing Perceptions About Scientists
  • 8. Assessment Examples for Grades 5 Through 8
  • Developing a Group Performance Task
  • Preparation for Standardized Tests
  • Electronic Portfolios for Students
  • Structuring Peer Assessment for Cooperative Groups
  • Class Assessment of Group Project Presentations
  • 9. Assessment Examples for Grades 9 Through 12
  • Using the Student Laboratory Environment Inventory
  • Looking at Science Processes
  • Assessing Specific Areas of Understanding
  • Assessing Students' Views of the Scientific Process

Glossary of Assessment-Related Terminology

Glossary of Assessment-Related Terminology

References

References

Index

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

Assessing Student Understanding in Science

A Standards-Based K-12 Handbook


October 2009 | 216 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 27/02/2023 9781412969932 $42.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412969925 $94.95
Lifetime 27/02/2023 9781452272436 $39.00

"In this second edition, Enger and Yager expand their previous work by suggesting new assessments and more clearly connecting their assessments with the National Science Education Standards. For classroom teachers, this book offers a range of suggestions that can enhance instruction. For science teacher educators, this book is an invaluable and handy resource in working with beginning, new, or experienced science teachers."
—Julie A. Luft, Professor of Science Education
Arizona State University

Create and customize assessments to determine student understanding in six domains of science!

Carefully designed assessments can give teachers the information they need to improve instruction and help students meet educational goals and objectives. This updated resource offers a multifaceted approach to measure what students know and can do as a result of their learning experiences.

Assessing Student Understanding in Science provides educators with essential methods to best assess student proficiency and performance in science. The authors provide an extensive collection of strategies and examples for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Aligned with national science standards, the book includes:

  • Criteria to measure student progress in six critical domains of science—concepts, processes, applications, attitude, creativity, and the nature of science
  • Strategies to evaluate your teaching practice, such as action research, video recordings, and journaling
  • Information about using formative assessments to inform teaching
  • Methods for assessing student work using portfolios, self-evaluations, and rubrics
  • An introduction to using science notebooks as assessment tools

With the proven frameworks in this book, teachers can build customized assessments to meet instructional needs and prepare students to succeed in science.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • 1. A Framework for Assessing Student Understanding in Science
  • Assessment Based on Six Domains of Science
  • I. Conceptual Domain
  • II. Process Domain
  • III. Application Domain
  • IV. Attitude Domain
  • V. Creativity Domain
  • VI. Nature of Science Domain
  • Assessment Approaches Aligned With the Six Domains
  • 2. Assessment in the Contexts of Teaching
  • Planning Instruction and Assessment
  • What Assessment Is
  • Formative and Summative Assessment
  • Assessment Types and Approaches
  • National Science Education Assessment Standards
  • Implementing Assessment Guidelines
  • The Internet as an Assessment Resource
  • 3. Evaluating Teaching Practice
  • Action Research
  • Assessment of Classroom Practice With Video Recording Support
  • Sources of Instrumentation for Assessing Practice
  • Self-Assessment of Constructivist Practice
  • Science-as-Inquiry Surveys
  • 4. Rubrics and Scoring Guides
  • Rubrics and Scoring Guides: What Are They?
  • Rubric Construction: A Teacher's Perspective
  • Rubric or Scoring Guide Design
  • Examples of Tasks and Rubrics
  • How Well Does a Rubric Communicate the Original Task?
  • 5. Science Notebooks
  • Science Notebooks: Formative and Summative Assessment Tools
  • Notebook Scaffolds
  • Assessment Components for Notebooks
  • Supporting Graphing Skills and Abilities
  • 6. Assessment Examples for All Grade Levels
  • Open-Ended Questions (Integrates Domains)
  • Student Laboratory Environment Inventory (Integrates Domains)
  • Ideas for Assessing in the Application Domain
  • Observation Checklist (Integrates Domains)
  • Use of Application-Level Multiple-Choice Questions
  • Examples for the Creativity Domain
  • Assessing Attitudes, Preferences, and Processes
  • 7. Assessment Examples for Grades K Through 4
  • Applying Process Skills and Experimental Design
  • Application Assessment Items for Grades K Through 3
  • Assessing Attitudes About Science
  • Student Self-Assessment
  • Assessing Perceptions About Scientists
  • 8. Assessment Examples for Grades 5 Through 8
  • Developing a Group Performance Task
  • Preparation for Standardized Tests
  • Electronic Portfolios for Students
  • Structuring Peer Assessment for Cooperative Groups
  • Class Assessment of Group Project Presentations
  • 9. Assessment Examples for Grades 9 Through 12
  • Using the Student Laboratory Environment Inventory
  • Looking at Science Processes
  • Assessing Specific Areas of Understanding
  • Assessing Students' Views of the Scientific Process
  • Glossary of Assessment-Related Terminology
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"This text offers information regarding the theory and real-world applications of a variety of assessments that can be used to address the unique standards of science education. The text addresses the need to assess all six domains of science literacy and offers tried-and-true methods and instruments that can be used to assess each domain. It does so by providing definitions of each domain and offering specific suggestions as to how the results can be used across the range of levels in our schools. The text is a wonderful collection of science-specific assessment information that can be used by those of us interested in assessing students and conducting research in K-12 science education."
David A. Wiley, Dean, College of Education and Human Services, Lenoir-Rhyne University
“Drawing on the latest research, best practices, and the wisdom of practitioners from all levels of the education spectrum, this powerful, comprehensive document pinpoints and prioritizes our work to ensure a foundation for all classroom applications of assessments. This is an invaluable resource for educators, K-12."
Jack Rhoton, Executive Director, Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education, Professor of Science Education, East Tennessee State University
"Does an exceptional job of addressing the most controversial and misunderstood aspect of delivering quality science instruction. The six domains of quality science teaching are addressed with examples of what is included in each. The book clearly describes various types of assessments, with the advantages and disadvantages of each. It also provides numerous references on asessing students in science."
Fred D. Johnson, Retired Superintendent, Cordova, TN
"This valuable contribution to the field offers clear explanations and examples of different types of assessments and suggests very practical applications for teachers of all levels. The authors present some wonderfully creative approaches to assessment, going beyond the usual methods."
Petrina McCarthy, Science Teacher, Robert McQueen High School, Reno, NV
"The material enables readers to self-assess on many levels: their own understanding of assessment in general, how assessment looks within the science content, and the many different applications. The coverage appeals to science teachers at all levels and all disciplines."
Rachel Hull, Fourth-Grade Teacher, Buffalo Elementary School, WV

Recommendations