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Preparing Children Promoting Excellence

Preparing Children Promoting Excellence. Science Update. Presented by: Chris Castillo-Comer Director of Science Irene Pickhardt Asst. Director of Science Division of Curriculum and Professional Development. On the T exas A ssessment of K nowledge and S kills. Chris Comer.

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Preparing Children Promoting Excellence

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  1. Preparing Children Promoting Excellence Science Update Presented by: Chris Castillo-Comer Director of Science Irene Pickhardt Asst. Director of Science Division of Curriculum and Professional Development On the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Texas Education Agency

  2. Chris Comer Did You Know? Science Educators 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 • Forming alliances: • TUSC: Texas Urban Science Council • SESnet: ESC science specialists network • Executive consortia: Leadership for science • Texas State Science Summit Texas Education Agency

  3. Course Selections: 1999-2000 Enrollment in Selected Science Courses YET, WHILE PHYSICS ENROLLMENT HAS INCREASED, ENROLLMENT IN CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS LAG COMPARED TO IPC • IPC 222,318 • Chemistry 155,636 • Physics 67,663 Texas Education Agency Chris Comer

  4. ACT Graduating Class ‘99State Percentage Completing 3 or More Years of ... AND, MOST STUDENTS STILL TAKE ONLY TWO YEARS OF SCIENCE Reading/LA 100% Mathematics 100% Social Studies 92% Science 76% Chris Comer Texas Education Agency

  5. Science Assessments Mandated by 76th Legislature in June ‘99 Senate Bill 103 • Elementary test will be given in English and Spanish • Equipment listed in the TEKS must be provided for all students • 10th and 11th grade exit level will include ”At least biology and integrated chemistry and physics” SCIENCE LEARNING WILL BE IMPORTANT Texas Education Agency

  6. TEXAS ASSESSMENT of KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS (TAKS) • This year’s 1st grade students and 8th grade students will be the first to take science TAKS. • Schools must make sure that students have multiple opportunities to learn the concepts to be tested. • Adequacy of preparation must be assured. Chris Comer Texas Education Agency

  7. A New Vision for Science • Reflection of actual classroom practice • Emphasis on “doing science” • Focus on teaching the TEKS • TAKS preparation materials unnecessary Texas Education Agency

  8. Science TAKS • Has a multiple choice format • Will not be a performance test • Will stress the process skills since they are the heart of science • Asks for a deeper conceptual understanding of science concepts Texas Education Agency

  9. Science Assessment • TEKS-based TAAS will be tested at 8th grade and Biology End of Course (EOC) assessments until spring of 2002. • TAKS science will begin testing at 5th grade, 10th grade, and 11th grade Exit level in spring 2003. • Science TAKS will be on the accountability system in 2004. Texas Education Agency

  10. Science Assessment Teachers need to know about: • Survey results • Teacher responses • Bracketed items • Test objectives Texas Education Agency

  11. 1st survey: 8,273 science surveys from educators K-16 Objectives 2-6 rewritten 36 Student Expectations deleted 2nd survey: 6,099 science surveys from elementary and secondary campuses Changes were made to respond to educator input Survey Results Texas Education Agency Chris Comer

  12. 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.” Texas Education Agency

  13. Bracketed Items: The Elementary Science TAKS given at grade five will have these items bracketed: • Computers, critique, promotional materials, cameras, sound recorders, and hot plates 10th grade science assessment: • Critique, and promotional materials 11th grade exit level science assessment: • Mechanical Advantage and (water as the) universal solvent Texas Education Agency

  14. Science TAKS at Grade 10 and Exit Level Grade 11 Will Include: • Calculator: possible use of at least a four-function calculator • 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 Texas Education Agency

  15. Grade 5 ScienceTAKS • TAKS 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 Texas Education Agency

  16. 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 are based on further science instruction and the ability for more mature critical thinking. Texas Education Agency

  17. Grade 10 ScienceTAKS • TAKS OBJECTIVES: KS SE • 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 7 • 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 Texas Education Agency

  18. Grade 11 ScienceTAKS • TAKS 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—Bio 6(B); Bio 7(A); Bio 9(D) IPC 7(D); IPC 9(B); IPC 4(D); IPC 5(B); IPC 6(D) • Bracketed : mechanical advantage and universal solvent Texas Education Agency

  19. Please Note--in the Grade 11 Exit Level Test Only: This concept can be taught through any secondary science course: • Biology (9) science concepts. The student knows metabolic processes and energy transfers that occur in living organisms. The student is expected to: (D) analyze the flow of matter and energy through different tropic levels and between organisms and the physical environment. Texas Education Agency

  20. What’s Next? Fall 2001-pilot testing • Volunteer districts/campuses Spring 2002-field testing • All districts, at some level • April 22-May 10 2001-2002 school year • Educator guides distributed Texas Education Agency

  21. Instructional Implications • What changes in instruction should occur in our district, school, or classroom based on what we know about the new objectives, TEKS expectations, and format for : • Elementary Science TAKS ? • Science TAKS at 10th grade? • Science TAKS exit level grade 11? Texas Education Agency

  22. Science Instructional MaterialsAdoption Textbooks and Instructional Materials are now aligned to the TEKS; which are the basis of the TAKS. $92.5 Million Adoption Budget Middle School Science: Grade 6-English and Spanish Grade 7 and Grade 8 High School Science: Integrated Chemistry and Physics, Chemistry, Physics Environmental Systems, Astronomy Advanced Placement Chemistry Physics Environmental Science Texas Education Agency Chris Comer

  23. Science Is Moving Away From Materials that just stress… 1. “Cookbook” labs 2. Details, details, details 3. The scientific method 4. “Do the questions” 5. Only one answer Texas Education Agency

  24. A New Vision for Science Materials • Detailed background information • Student misconceptions identified • Help identifying broad ideas • Formative assessments • Summative assessments • The use of rubrics • Students doing inquiry Texas Education Agency

  25. TAKS Science • It is important to note that students on the Minimum High School graduation plan, the Recommended Graduation Plan, or the Distinguished Achievement Graduation Program should have adequacy of preparation and multiple opportunities to learn the concepts to be tested at grade 10 and exit level grade 11 science TAKS. Texas Education Agency

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

  27. Elementary Science Science is a foundation subject…not an elective. • Science learning enhances mathematics skills • Science related items make up to 40-60% of the reading TAAS • Science promotes problem solving and critical thinking • Science instruction increases language development for ESL students Texas Education Agency

  28. 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” Texas Education Agency

  29. The Importance of “Strands” • The science TEKS contain “strands” that connect broad themes across the grade levels • Certain themes pervade science: • Constancy and change • Form and function • Properties, patterns and models • Systems • These strands are evident in TAKS objectives Texas Education Agency

  30. An Example of A Strand Systems Tested at: Exit Level Grade 11 10th grade 5th grade • Grade 11 Exit Biology 9D • Analyze the flow of matter and energy through different trophic levels • Grade 10 12D investigates interactions in an ecosystem • Elementary assessment grade 5: 2.9(D) • Compare the ways living organisms depend on each other and their environments • Grade 7.12B observe how organisms including • producers, consumers, and decomposers live • together in an environment and use existing • resources Texas Education Agency

  31. Systems in the Elementary Assessment • The systems TEKS repeated in three of the four elementary objectives • Systems are found in: • Life sciences—e.g. Ecosystems, the human body • Physical sciences—e.g. Machines • Earth sciences—e.g. Watersheds, planetary systems Texas Education Agency

  32. What Do Students Need to Know About Systems? • 5.5 The student knows that a systems is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. The student is expected to • (A) describe some cycles, structures, and processes that are found in a simple system; and • (B) describe some interactions that occur in a simple system. Texas Education Agency

  33. All TEKS Are Required • The TEKS outline what all students must know and be able to do. • Some student expectations are not tested, yet they may be critical for student understanding. Texas Education Agency

  34. The Role of Untested TEKS in Student Understanding • 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…..” Texas Education Agency

  35. The “Heart” of Science Objective 1:The Nature of Science Texas Education Agency

  36. Scientific Methods • The use of scientific methods during field and laboratory investigations • Plan and implement investigative procedures • Ask questions • Formulate hypotheses • Select equipment and technology • Collect data and make measurements • Organize, analyze, make inferences from data • Communicate Texas Education Agency

  37. Types of Investigations • Field • Classroom • Laboratory Texas Education Agency

  38. Laboratory and Field Investigations • What is included in the student expectation (SE)? • Students conduct field, classroom, and laboratory investigations • Safety • Use and conservation of resources • Disposal and recycling Texas Education Agency

  39. The Student Is Expected To: • Plan and implement investigative procedures including • Ask questions • Formulate testable hypotheses • Select and use tools and technology Texas Education Agency

  40. Demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations The Student Is Expected To: Texas Education Agency

  41. Examples of Equipment Which May Be Found on Elementary Science TAKS • Meter sticks • Magnets • Hand lenses • Compasses • Thermometers • Collecting nets • Weather instruments Consult TEKS 4(A) at each grade level from Grades K-8 Texas Education Agency

  42. Scientific Processes • Laboratory and Field Investigations • Scientific Methods • Critical Thinking Texas Education Agency

  43. The Student Is Expected To: • Represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations Texas Education Agency

  44. The Student Is Expected To: • Analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations Texas Education Agency

  45. The Student Is Expected To: • Collect data by observing and measuring Texas Education Agency

  46. Make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials During laboratory or field The Student Is Expected To: Texas Education Agency

  47. The Student Is Expected To: • Organize • Analyze • Evaluate • Make inferences • Predict trends from direct and indirect evidence Texas Education Agency

  48. How Do We Get There? Professional Development Is: A planned, collaborative, educational process of continuous improvement for teachers that helps them do five things: • 1. Deepen their knowledge of the subject they are teaching; • 2. Sharpen their teaching skills in the classroom; • 3. Keep up with developments in their fields and in education generally; • 4. Generate and contribute new knowledge to the profession; and • 5. Increase their ability to monitor student’s work, so they can provide constructive feedback to students and appropriately redirect their own teaching. Chris Comer Texas Education Agency

  49. How Can Districts or SchoolsPrepare for TAKS? Districts should ensure that: • Learning is connected across the grade levels • Multiple opportunities to learn science concepts in different contexts are assured • Cumulative, comprehensive, increasingly complex sequences of learning experiences are built • Seamless education preK-12 is created • Students are enrolled in science during grade 11 • Adequacy of preparation is planned • Systems thinking is applied Texas Education Agency

  50. 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. Texas Education Agency

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