With college entrances, NCLB, and more on the line, standardized testing has risen the stakes on student learning. Students begin taking standardized tests in grade school and continue throughout their shcool years. I decided to research this topic because of the rising importance of standardized testing and I wanted to see what part science played in these tests.
From what I remember, the science sections of standardized tests were based off of reading graphs and performing basic calculations- so it was basically a combined form of the reading and math sections. Some tips I found for the science section of standardized tests included tips that were general and related to other sections such as: the questions begin easier and move to be progressively more difficult, search for key words in reading passages, look beyond any extra language, and do the questions you automatically know first. The science section is testing more reasoning skills than science content or knowledge.
I was also able to find past standardized tests to study the format and questions. While some questions consisted of vocabulary and content information, others were based on passages and diagrams. There were even some short answer questions, so they were not all multiple choice format. Reading and math skills would be needed for the science section.
Works Consulted:
http://www.helium.com/items/652196-strategies-for-taking-the-act-science-reasoning-test
http://www.helium.com/items/1549751-how-to-do-well-on-the-act-science-reasoning-test
http://edinformatics.com/testing/science_tests.htm
Colleen I think this is a very interesting topic and I don't think people realize that the science part on standardized tests involves a lot of reading and math. How are we as teachers supposed to get our students ready for the science part. In class we talk a lot about using concrete examples as much as we can. If we are letting our students explore and giving them concrete examples then how do we expect them to understand the text and graphs on the standardized tests? I think the standardized tests don't show a lot about if the student is learning or not. They could understand it in class and have anxiety when it comes to test taking.
ReplyDeleteAlisa,
ReplyDeleteyou make a good point here. As science teacher, you want to focus on science but yet have to make sure student are getting other skills improved from each science class. so communicating with other subject teacher maybe helpful. Discuss with other teachers about each student's math or reading skill. I never see a standard test myself but can imaging as difficult progressing, student anxiety will rise. Tips for preparation, of standart testing practicing test to include the concrete example may boost student confident level and ease some anxiety.
I cannot agree with you more. I believe that science on standarized tests have switched geers and focus more on math and reading. Although, I think that math and reading are life long skills that our students should learn, science is equally as important. I believe that there are better ways for us to test our students on their science knowledge.
ReplyDeleteColleen,
ReplyDeleteBased on your research, do you think the past test or the "recent" standard test include more question that test student's critical and creative thinking skill.