Findings from a Pilot Study of Classroom-based NGSS Aligned Prototype Assessments

Session Type: Coordinated Paper Session

Abstract

This coordinated paper session addressed the challenge of designing and developing prototype NGSS aligned assessments for use in elementary school science classrooms. The papers in this session describe various aspects of the Stackable, Instructionally-embedded, Portable Science project (SIPS), a federally funded collaborative effort to address simultaneously states’ needs for large-scale science assessments and the needs of educators, parents, and students for resources that support science learning throughout the school year. Collectively, the five papers will: (a) provide an overview of the project’s overall design logic for the integration of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at each of Grades 5 and 8; (b) illustrate the end-of-unit design approaches, and application of methods and the resulting instructional resources for content area units at each grade level; (c) provide a summary of the findings from a multi-state pilot study of the administration of the instructionally aligned end-of-unit assessments; (d) describe the methodology used to establish cut scores for an integrated set of SIPS through-course science assessments in grades 5 and 8; and (e) summarize the work of the SIPS project and speak to NCME members who are interested in addressing states’ need for quality, standards-aligned science assessments that generate meaningful, interpretable, and actionable results.

Sub Unit

• Individual Papers, Innovation Demonstrations, Coordinated Sessions, or Organized Discussions

Session Organizer

• Howard Everson, Graduate Center, City University of New York

Individual Presentations

• SIPS Project Overview - Ellen Forte, edCount, LLC

• Design of Prototype End-of-Unit Assessment Tasks - Daisy Wise Rutstein, EDCOUNT, LLC

• Overview of the Pilot Study Results - Howard Everson, Graduate Center, City University of New York

• Establishing Science Learning Standards - Daniel Lewis, Creative Measurement Solutions LLC

• Summary of Findings from the SIPS Project - James W Pellegrino

Discussant

• Kristen Huff, Curriculum Associates