Promoting Excellence Preparing Children

1. Promoting ExcellencePreparing Children Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science Teaching Annual Meeting July, 2001 Chris Castillo-Comer Director of Science

2. Words to live by... Daylight savings time. Not much! Pollution! Where there is smoke there is… If at first you don’t succeed... It is always darkest before… A penny saved is… Get new batteries! Better late than… No news is... Pregnant? Impossible!

3. What’s New? • TAKS and Skills (2002: Science grade 5 (English and Spanish), grade 10, and exit level grade 11--Accountability System in 2004 • Certification changes by SBEC: master teacher certification in technology and mathematics • Legislation for Math Initiative, Retirement changes, 1.24 Billion dollar health insurance package, Repeal of retirement limitations, Uniform school start date • Graduation requirements: 3 years of science for every Texas student (freshman class 2005)

4. Why test science? • In a society that increasingly involves science and an understanding of scientific concepts and processes, all citizens must have a common core of learning in science to enrich their lives and make informed decisions that will affect their lives and our world. • Science enhances: • reading, mathematics, language development, problem solving and critical thinking skills

5. A Coherent System of Teaching and Learning Curriculum Textbooks Assessment

6. Bracketed Items: Elementary science test given at grade five: Computers, critique, promotional materials, cameras, sound recorders, hot plates 11th grade exit level science assessment: • Mechanical Advantage • Universal solvent • 10th grade science assessment: • Critique, promotional materials

7. Science can be proud of: • Higher Scores on Science TAAS • Greater Physics Enrollment • Increased AP Course completion • Leadership in Science Safety • Increased Funding for Professional Development in Science • Forming NEW partnerships

8. What you need to know about TAKS Learn about and teach the TEKS understand unifying principles: systems, models, etc. integrate life, earth, and physical science concepts do vertical articulation maps to ensure that students are provided multiple opportunities to learn science concepts in different contexts

9. Not all TEKS are tested but all the TEKS should be taught! • Not tested: 5.12(d) “identify gravity as the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and the moon in orbit around the earth” • Tested: 5.12(a) “interpret how land forms are the • result of a combination of constructive and destructive forces such as deposition of sediment…..”

10. What will TAKS look like? • Items are multiple choice/ griddable /clusters • Items incorporate reading and math skills • Items are more challenging, tied to concepts and skills • not a performance test but performance-linked

11. What Are [Bracketed]Items? “The student expectation has been presented in its entirety for two reasons: to clarify the link to the curriculum and to provide background information for test items. However,bracketed text will not be specifically tested on TAKS.”

12. What do students need to learn? • Students must do science! • Students must learn the TEKS

13. Elementary ScienceTAKS • Textbooks and instructional materials are only resources…the TEKS are the curriculum framework • Includes K-5 strand content: science will need to be taught at each elementary grade to ensure student success • Time requirements: “teachers must have enough time to teach the science TEKS and students must have enough time to learn the science TEKS”

14. Grade 5 ScienceTAKS • TAAS OBJECTIVES: knowledge student & skills expectations • 1. Nature of science 4 10 • 2. Life science 7 15 • 3. Physical science 5 12 • 4. Earth science 8 17 • Total 2454 • Bracketed items: • Computers, critique, promotional materials, cameras, sound recorders, hot plates • “Such as” are only examples but “including” means that these topics must be taught

15. TAKSElementary Science Test Given at Grade Five • Not just a 5th grade science test: includes TEKS from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades • Builds the foundation for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics concepts tested in TAKS 10th and the 11th grade exit level TAKS in high school

16. About Middle School Science... • After spring 2002, there will not be an 8th grade science assessment. • This does not mean that science at grades 6-8 is no longer important! In fact, it will be even more important to strengthen the the 6-8 program to ensure success at grade 10 and exit level grade 11 science assessments. • Middle school teachers must be aware of the middle school science concepts and their connections to the TEKS tested at grade 10 and exit level grade 11 assessments. • The strength of the 6-8 science program has a direct effect on the student course selections.

17. About the Grade 10 and Exit Level Grade 11 Science Assessments... • The grade 10 and grade 11 exit level science assessments are based on the TEKS for integrated physics and chemistry (IPC) and biology. • The grade 10 and exit level grade 11 science assessments are not identical. • The differences are slight and based on further science instruction and the ability for more mature critical thinking.

18. Grade 10 ScienceTAKS • TAAS OBJECTIVES: KS's SE’s • Science processes: • 1. The nature of science 3 7 • Science concepts: • 2. Biological concepts 4 6 • 3. Biology--ecological concepts 4 6 • 4. IPC--chemistry concepts 3 6 • 5. IPC—physics concepts 3 6 • Total 17 31 • 4 student expectations are in 10th grade only: • Bio 6(D); IPC 7(E); IPC 5(A); and IPC 6(F) • Bracketed items: critique, promotional materials

19. Science TAKS at Grade 10 and Exit Level Grade 11 Will Include: • Calculator: use of a four-function calculator or a calculator that is used with the mathematics portion of TAKS • Metric ruler: a metric ruler will be provided for metric measurement • Periodic table: students will be provided a periodic table • Formula chart: students will be provided a chart that includes necessary formulas for TAKS

20. Grade 11 ScienceTAKS • TAAS OBJECTIVES: KS SE • Science Processes: • 1. The Nature of Science 3 7 • Science Concepts: • 2. Biology Concepts 4 7 • 3. Biology--Ecological Concepts 5 8 • 4. IPC--Chemistry Concepts 3 7 • 5. IPC—Physics Concepts 3 7 • Total 18 36 • The following concepts are in the grade 11 exit level science TAKS only: 1 KS--Bio 9; • 8 se’s—Bio 6(B); Bio 7(A); Bio 9(D) IPC 7(D); IPC 9(B); IPC 4(D); IPC 5(B); IPC 6(D) no bracketed items in grade 11

21. The Burning Question:What’s the Best Course Sequence for Science? • Biology is now a required course for all students in Texas. • Students are required to take the IPC course or the Chemistry and Physics courses. • For all graduation plans, students are encouraged to take the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics sequence by the State Board of Education. • Students are urged to take four years of science. Chris Comer

22. The Progress of Education in Texas To make schools more effective and efficient, many school reforms have been introduced… Teachers making decisions about what and how to teach have more to consider…For schooling to improve teachers must be able to make sense of the reform ideas, bring them together in a meaningful way and construct a coherent practice. Chris Ferguson, SEDL

23. Science Professional Development • New!!! Texas Science Center for Professional Development • Bridging to TAKS Institutes • Trainer of Trainer Model • Administrator Overview • Presented in five sites: Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio • Products to prepare for TAKS: 3 new charts • CATS Project: Comprehensive Assessment Training in Science • Teacher as Leader Model • Administrator Symposia, Parent Nights, Presented in ten sites: Corpus Christi, Edinburg, El Paso, Houston, Kilgore, Lubbock, Richardson, San Angelo, San Antonio, an Waco • Products to prepare for TAKS: Lesson Templates, A Guide to the TEKS, Texas Atlas for Science Literacy, and Coherent Assessment techniques

24. Science Professional Development • Dana Center Science Professional Development • Science Teacher Toolkit • Science Safety Training • Texteams: Trainer of Trainer Mega-Vistas“Constancy and Change” presented at three sites: Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin • Biology Institutes • Products to prepare for TAKS: Facilities Handbook, 2 TEKS charts • Leadership Academies: TASEL EXEMPLARY PROJECT: Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science Teaching • High quality, sustained professional development and Technology training in 20 sites around the state; • Providing Science Leaders throughout the state!

25. CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT Anna McClane 713-744-6565 texassciencecenter.org CATS PROJECT Joan Drennan-Taylor 210-208-8133 accd.edu DANA CENTER Mary Jane Schott Jim Collins Vanessa Westbrook 512-471-6191 tenet.edu/teks/science TEXAS REGIONAL COLLABORATIVES FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE TEACHING Jim Barifaldi Kamil Jbeilly Joel Blasingame 512-471-9279 regcol.edb.utexas.edu TEA SCIENCE Chris Castillo-Comer Director of Science Irene Pickhardt Asst.. Director of Science 512-463-9556 ccomer@tea.state.tx.us Who To Contact: