Scoring guidelines are given for four forms of the practical skills tests of the Second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Improvement Science Study conducted in the following countries in the 1980s: (1) Hungary; (2) Japan; (3) Korea; (4) Singapore; (5) Israel; and (6) the United States. (SLD)

Compares the authors cited in the index of the Handbook of Research on Science Teaching and Learning with those cited in the chapter on "Research on Teaching in the Natural Sciences" in the Second Handbook of Research on Teaching. Concentrates on the frequency of author citations and inferences that can be made on the basis of such data. (JRH)

The results are reported of a questionnaire on the opinions of biology, medical, and agricultural students on the contribution of high school biology to their college biology study. Most students valued this contribution. High school biology influenced achievement in college biology when based on prior learning. (MSE)

Describes a science program designed to attract children to science through an extended study of biology. Presents a detailed description of the various professional development activities and the results of the formative evaluation of the program. (DDR)

Although there were no differences in pretest scores, students with a background in high school agriculture courses achieved lower scores on tests in college biology than those without this experience. The supposed relationships between biology and agriculture courses are questioned. (AL)

The results from the testing of practical skills in science in the six participating countries of the Second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Improvement Science Study are presented. The emphasis is on descriptive reports without extensive statistical tests. Some clear patterns of findings are evident. (SLD)

Survey responses from a stratified sample, across school type, of Israeli tenth graders (n=544) indicate that informal and nonformal science activities are associated with a distinctive commitment to science and science learning. Further, school conditions, home influences, and career aspirations appear to mediate the decision to participate in…

Describes a study to diagnose grade 8 (n=185) and grade 10 (n=170) Israeli students' difficulties in causal thinking while studying biology. The two main difficulties found are (1) inability to organize events according to their correct temporal sequence and (2) inability to identify an event that had been caused by another event. (MDH)

Describes the examination scheme developed to evaluate high school biology students using the BSCS project in Israel. The scheme consists of a practical examination and a written test. Since the scheme is relatively new, little research has been performed. (MA)

Describes the validity and reliability of the Self-Report Knowledge Inventory (SRKI) and the Opportunity to Learn Inventory (OTLI) as self-assessment tools. Both instruments were found to be friendly, relatively easy to design, easy to respond to, easy to score, time-saving, non-threatening, valid, and reliable for comparing and making decisions…

How content analysis schemes which focus on inquiry can be used by science teachers in the selection of science textbooks is discussed. The meanings of the concept inquiry are clarified, and why inquiry should be a major concern of science educators is explained. (RM)

Reports on interviews with 28 high school biology students in Jerusalem concerning teleological and anthropomorphic formulations and reasoning. Results indicate acceptance of anthropomorphic formulations does not imply a prevalence of anthropomorphic reasoning. Most high school students can distinguish between anthropomorphic formulations and…

Advocates the analysis of student characteristics in determining the outcomes of instruction and the analysis of instruction to determine effects on student characteristics. (CP)

Using Israeli biology matriculation examination results from 1983 and 1984, this article compares the achievement of Arab and Jewish students on the paper and pencil examinations and the practical laboratory examinations. Achievement differences between girls and boys are discussed, as well as the effects of a inquiry-oriented biology curriculum.…

The marking, or grading, system used in Israel is discussed in terms of its history and current use. A standardized assessment instrument used as a practical biology matriculation test, the Practical Tests Assessment Inventory, is described. (LMO)