Some Thoughts on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in Science [microform] / Wayne W. Welch
- Bib ID:
- 5476886
- Format:
- Book and Microform
- Author:
- Welch, Wayne W
- Description:
-
- [Washington, D.C.] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, 1986
- 19 p.
- Summary:
-
This paper evaluates the procedures and results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in science. A brief description of the 1981-82 assessment, funded by the National Science Foundation, precedes a discussion of strengths and weaknesses of the current science assessment program, conducted by Educational Testing Service. Major strengths include: high technical quality; accurate portrayals of the national picture; consistent procedures enabling comparison across time; appropriate content; policy impact; and identification of report group differences. Criticisms include: (1) the science assessment cycle has been unnecessarily irregular; (2) assessments tend to focus on traditional subject matter content and to collect little additional information; and (3) subject matter experts who possess a commitment to their field do not seem to have sufficient interest in the data to attempt the difficult task of analyzing unfamiliar data tapes. The assessment program could be strengthened by requiring contractors to include the services of experienced subject matter researchers into the budget proposals. Data should be regularly gathered, and the measurement of attitudes toward science should be improved. Lines of communication between NAEP and the community of educators is essential for continued support of the assessment and for maximizing the educational impact of the information being gathered. (LMO)
- Notes:
-
- ERIC Note: One of 46 papers commissioned by the Study Group on the National Assessment of Student Achievement and cited in Appendix B to their final report "The Nation's Report Card" (TM 870 049). For other papers in this group, see TM 870 050-094.
- May also be available online. Address as at 14/8/18: https://eric.ed.gov/
- Reproduction:
- Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.
- Subject:
-
- Educational Assessment
- Educational Testing
- Elementary Secondary Education
- Evaluation Needs
- Federal Programs
- Measurement Objectives
- National Surveys
- Needs Assessment
- Program Attitudes
- Research Design
- Resource Allocation
- Science Education
- Science Tests
- Scientific Attitudes
- Testing Problems
- Testing Programs
- National Assessment of Educational Progress
- Available From:
- ERIC
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 1986
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Assessing Mathematical Achievement [microform] / Jon L. Higgins, Comp. and Others
- National Assessment: Backgrounds and Projections [microform] : 1975 / Robert E. Shafer
- Science Achievement in the Schools [microform] : A Summary of Results from the 1976-77 National Assessment of Science / Robert Crane
- Position Paper on the Potential Use of Computerized Testing Procedures for the National Assessment of Educational Progress [microform] / Mark D. Reckase
- Techniques for Assessing Interests, Aspirations, and Potential of Vocational Education Students [microform] / Jack Kaufman and Dennis Tesolowski