1. What must students know and be able to do? Jot down your thoughts
ACT Aspire Science
What must students know and be able to do?
Jot down your thoughts 5m

2. ACT Aspire Science Agenda December 4, 2014 3:30 Merts
Your Thoughts: What Must Students Know and Be Able to Do?
Introduction
Self assessment of ACT CCRS Science Process Skills
Analysis of Sample test via ACT Aspire website
Share Your Analysis of Sample test skill requirements
Progress Ideas
Identify two skills to work on and Scavenger Hunt
Share
Summarize
Feedback

3. HCS ACT Aspire Scores-Spring 2014
10m Connection between R, M, Sci, and Writing (These are inter-related – increase one and you should increase the other)

4. Act Aspire is vertically aligned to the ACT
Act Aspire is vertically aligned to the ACT. ACT Science has same components as ACT Aspire just increases with complexity/rigor as you move up the chain.
First hand knowledge: ACT Prep classes
Grade 3-10 ACT Aspire Test is directly linked to ACT College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS)

5. Despite what its name suggests, it is not a science knowledge test.
The ACT Science and ACT Aspire Science is probably the least understood portion of these type of assessments.
Despite what its name suggests, it is not a science knowledge test.
The ACT is not going to ask you to identify steps of cell division, balance a chemical equation, or determine the velocity of a moving object.
Usually Everything you need to answer the questions can be found in the passage
Because the ACT doesn’t penalize students for not taking a specific science course: Physics vs Chemistry and bac-kplanning was used to develop ACT Aspire based on ACT…. So it is basically critical thinking skills.

6. Advanced Knowledge in content areas is not usually required
Background knowledge acquired in general science courses may be needed to answer some questions in upper grades.
Tests do not, however, sample specific content knowledge with enough regularity to make inferences about a student’s attainment of science content.
ACT Aspire stresses science practices over recall of scientific content, complex mathematical skills, and reading ability.
Science Practice/Process skills are tested – the venue that it is tested in is the content – so the content (biology, physical sci, earth sci) varies but because it is the science process skills being tested – It should not adversely affect the child’s score if they do not have significant knowledge of the content.

7. Science passages vary widely in subject matter
Biology; life sciences (earlier grades)
Chemistry and physics (physical science for earlier grades)
Earth/space science (astronomy, meteorology, geology)
These topics only provide a framework for the passage; specific knowledge of these subjects are usually not required. Any specialized terms (often printed in italics) will be defined for you in the introductory lines of the passage.
Definitions are often provided in italics and therefore prior knowledge of the content term is not necessary. Example: “larvae” is defined in grade 4 sample test

8. Format of the ACT Aspire
3 DOMAINS:
Interpretation of Data
Scientific Investigation
Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results
*Self Assess –
On ACT CCRS handout – check off any standards that your students do on a weekly basis
5m Note the set up of the CCRS table… scores across top and progression of standard… and 3 domains. Also note that the handout does not include the ACT scores to the maximum (36) because the ACTAspire Science tested in grades 3-8 would not include items from the highest part of the range.

9. Computer Based Option
For the Computer based test: here are the types and numbers of questions asked.
Click on “Computer based option” to go to the ACTAspire website – click the Science tab

10. Analysis of Sample Test
Go to tn.actaspire.org
Username: science
Password: actaspire
Start test – then Click “Review” (upper left)
3rd -5th grade begin with question 25
6th -8th grade begin with question 1
As you answer each question, tally what skill is required
30m
Go to website.. Have print copy available – Tally skills required as you take test – Have the ACT CCRS available.
MODEL 2 Q. Show how to circle verb and Tally what skill is required.

11. When finished, answer 3 Questions at bottom of the tally
Discuss/Share Your Analysis of What Students Must Know and Be Able to Do
When finished, answer 3 Questions at bottom of the tally
Discuss with partner what surprised you about your analysis and how this will affect your instructional plans
10m Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss – (point: science knowledge not required- science process skill knowledge is required)

12. Modifying Lessons to meet CCRS
Think of one classroom activity that you’ve used successfully that either requires students to use one of the ACT Aspire skills or that helps students learn one of the identified skills. (Jot down notes about the activity)
Think about how you could modify that activity to improve it based on your ACT Aspire analysis
Share
Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss

13. Ideas for Progress
SCAVENGER HUNT: Identify 2 skills that you plan to work on next week then locate/bookmark a resource that you will use….
6th - 8th grade:
Pearson: “Interdisciplinary Activity - Program Resources- Editable Wks”
(Charts/Graphs)
3rd -6th grade :
- Worksheets –Math WKS – #30 “Reading Tables”
10m Share what resource they plan to use with their elbow partner

14. Questions for the ACT Aspire Science Test will generally ask you to use the following skills:
Read, select, and interpret data from charts, tables, and graphs.
Compare or combine data from different charts, tables, graphs,
Extrapolate data (take info that is there and draw conclusions and make predictions about the results of additional tests or data)
Compare and contrast opposing viewpoints
Determine which Claim/viewpoint is valid based on data and text
Translate information from a chart/text into a graph
Use math
Write explanatory text to convey information citing textual evidence
Understand “good” experimental design
What do we mean by “Good” experimental design? Control, variable, only one factor/variable changed/manipulated.
Must DO science to understand science – conflicting viewpoints via peer review

15. Poll Everywhere Take Aways
Was the learning today beneficial? What insights into teaching and learning did you gain today and how might you use this in your own work?
Send text to 37607
Type in then enter your response
Access Prior Knowledge

16. Two Act Aspire Science Sample Test Resources
Computer Based Option
Paper Based Option
Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss

17. Additional Resources Used
Avocet
ACT College and Career Ready Standards Science of the 3 domains
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards Ideas for Progress:
13-15 score range range range
* These score ranges should provide a foundation for 3rd – 8th grade…Google for additional score ranges
Then discuss with partner… chart two or three points to discuss