Impact of a Reform-Based Science Curriculum on Student Achievement in Science

• In Event: Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Early Childhood and Elementary Science Education

Abstract

Science education reform calls for students to be engaged in hands-on and minds-on experiences; however, science instruction is being neglected due to the pressures of high-stakes testing. We examine the impact multiple years of participation in a reform-based science curriculum had on fifth graders’ achievement on state based Criterion Referenced Tests. We analyzed the test scores of 476 students who attended an urban elementary school implementing a reform-based science curriculum from 2006-2011. Results indicate that three years of participation resulted in higher test scores, although the difference between groups was only marginally significant.

Authors

• Lori A Fulton, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Seungoh Paek, University of Hawaii - Manoa