This study aimed at identifying the reasons responsible for the low performance of the students of the second intermediate grade in science's tests in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). It also intends to provide a proposal for developing the performance of the students of the second intermediate grade in science…

The purpose of the research was to replicate commonality analysis for two measures: critical content monitoring and sentence verification technique. Participants were 967 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students across seven public primary schools in a southeastern U.S. district. The predictor variables were administered as benchmarks 3 times in…

This study utilized a causal comparative (ex post facto) design to determine if a consistent relationship existed between fifth-grade students' success on the Science Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) at the elementary (K-5) level in comparison to fifth-grade students' success on the science TAKS at the intermediate (5-6) level. The…

Responses from a stratified random sample of British elementary schools (64 of 102) found generally consistent practices in preparing students for national science achievement tests. Variations in time spent, approaches, and resources were related to variables of attainment, school size, class composition, and teacher's professional…

Studied the effects of linguistic simplification, a test accommodation designed for students of limited English proficiency (LEP), using data from the Delaware state science assessment program for grades 4 and 6. Findings for 11,306 non-LEP and 109 LEP students show that tests and items can be simplified linguistically without compromising score…

This study was part of a project to develop science and technology (STS) issue investigation and action materials with the potential for use across science and social studies classes at the secondary level. Special emphasis was given to learning teachers' perspectives on the development of a unit on the impact of pesticides on society. Seven areas…

The degree to which modifications to the format of the scoring rubric and the associated training procedures affect the technical quality of the resulting scores was studied, and the perceived utility of each scoring method for influencing a teacher's instructional decisions positively was investigated. Two different methods were used to score…

Studied the performance of 140 Primary 6 (aged 10 and 11) school students in Scotland using 2 modes of assessment, a paper-and-pencil test and more "practical" tasks. Results suggest children, especially lower achievers, perform better on the more interactive, practical tasks. Results also suggest some gender differences. (SLD)

In an attempt to determine the level of questioning according to Bloom's taxonomy, generated by test items that accompany selected fifth-grade science textbooks, an analysis of the tests provided by three of the most commonly used elementary science textbooks was completed. Additionally this analysis examined the extent to which each series…

This study had three purposes. First, to develop and validate a criterion-referenced test to measure science knowledge of students who finished the second cycle of the Basic General Education (6th grade). Second, to assess the performance of the entire Costa Rican population of sixth graders and, third, to analyze the results according to some…

This study was designed to assess the effect of a process oriented elementary science curriculum upon students' achievement. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) Complete Battery with the social studies and science supplements was administered to sixth grade students completing one, two, or three years of the Science through Discovery program in…

Sixth-grade teachers (n=26) estimated item performance for their students (724 total students) on a 50-item district-wide science test. Teachers were more accurate in estimating performance of the total group than of the borderline group, but in neither case was their accuracy high. Estimating proportion-correct values using the Angoff standard…

This paper describes the results of a student science assessment test and teacher questionnaire surveying 424 sixth grade teachers in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The student test measures student attitudes to science and scientists, knowledge in life, physical and earth science, and student competence on 12 science processes…

A majority of the school districts that desegregate use magnet schools as part of their effort. Magnet schools offer enriched academic or vocational programs to attract committed students whose neighborhood schools do not offer the coursework and activities they seek. This paper is concerned with science magnet schools. This study was designed to…

This study examined the effects of linguistic simplification of fourth and sixth grade science test items on a state assessment on the achievement of English language learners, those of limited English proficiency (LEP). At each grade level, 4 parallel 10-item testlets were included on an operational statewide assessment. On each testlet, items…