SCIENCE & TESTING

CMT-SCIENCE Given for the first time in Spring 2008 in grades 5 & 8 Consists of multiple choice and open ended questions Based on student expected performances from state frameworks Covers Content, Inquiry, and Embedded Tasks

Content Physical Science Life Science Earth Science Inquiry or Process Skills

Embedded Tasks Inquiry-based Investigations (Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena) Two parts- a structured investigation first, then students plan their own based on the problem given. Example: Soggy Paper-students first follow a procedure to compare paper towels, napkins and tissue paper in absorbing water, then they design their own experiment to compare two different brands of paper towels in absorbing water.

Embedded Tasks-Elementary School 3 rd grade-Soggy Paper 4 th grade-Go With The Flow 5 th grade-Catch It

Embedded Tasks-Middle School 6 th grade-Dig It 7 th grade-LifeSavers/Sugar cube (district task) 8 th grade-Feel the Beat, Shipping and Sliding

CMT results-Grade At/Above Proficiency-86.4% 9 out of 12 schools above the state average in proficiency. 7 out of 12 schools showed an increase in scores from last year. We are first in our reference group.

CMT results-Grade At/Above proficiency-66% 1 school above the state average in proficiency 1 school showed an increase in scores. We are 4 out of 9 in our reference group

Abilities Necessary to do Scientific Inquiry (5-8) Identifies questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. Design and conduct a scientific investigation. Use appropriate tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data. Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence. Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations. Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions. Communicate scientific procedures and explanations. Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry. Understanding about scientific inquiry.

District Preparation Aligned district curriculum with state frameworks Introduced new state embedded tasks grades 3-8 Required written formal science lab reports each year Introduced district science unit assessments in all topics Introduced concepts of inquiry based science instruction Professional development given in main science topic areas

Preparation cont. Assembled a bank of CMT like questions for ongoing practice and reinforcement Organized a CMT like practice exam for grades 8 and 5 Organized grant opportunities with colleges and IFI for our teachers to attend Introduced technology-computers, software, probes and smart boards

CAPT SCIENCE TEST-10 th GRADE Measures key concepts in Earth, Life and Physical Science as well as in Experimentation Consists of clustered multiple choice and open ended questions State mandated week- long lab investigation now being replaced by 5 embedded tasks

Experimentation Recognize and define problems for scientific investigations Design appropriate problems to solve the problem Predict the results based on knowledge of problem-related content Conduct investigations, collect data and record observations Interpret data, draw conclusions and assess their validity

SCIENCE STRANDS 9 th grade-Strand 1-Energy Transformations 9 th grade-Strand 2-Chemical Structures and Properties 9 th grade-Strand 3-Global Interdependence

SCIENCE STRANDS cont. 10 th grade-STRAND 4-Cell Chemistry and Biotechnology 10 th grade-STRAND 5-Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity

CAPT Results At/Above Proficiency-76% 2 out of 3 schools showed increase in scores Achievement gap smaller in Norwalk than the state average All 3 schools slightly below state average

DATA COLLECTED Individual scores-guides placement in grad prep course, assists teachers in giving in class support District scores- used for curriculum revisions Released items-supports classroom instruction and additional student practice

LIMITATIONS OF DATA Scores for each domain but not broken down by objective Not all topics covered equally in test questions Released items only a sample from the test

What We HAVE DONE WITH RESULTS Science graduation credits now increased to 3 Low level courses have been eliminated All biology students now get a full lab experience Emphasis on writing in all science classes Grad prep classes offered for graduation New science electives introduced- Meteorology, Science & Society, Biotechnology, Anatomy & Physiology 9 th and 10 th grade courses revamped based on new frameworks and test results Teacher resource guides for full year science courses Introduced more inquiry-based lab investigations using the CAPT lab rubric Started a pre-engineering program with technology called Project Lead The Way Developed an accelerated sequence for 9 th grades to take Biology

OTHER ASSESSMENTS District unit exams and required labs in 9 th and 10 th grade science Close monitoring of AP enrollment and performance Embedded Tasks now part of our curriculum

New Developments National Science Standards Under Revision State considering adopting new standards and joining other states for testing STEM initiatives part of new graduation requirements No changes to CMT and CAPT until 2014 or later