Science Assessment

It is recognized that the currently used standardized tests are very poor at measuring learning of scientific process skills and higher-order thinking. From the beginning of Project SEED, we were aware of the need to develop assessments that were matched to the goals of such an inquiry-based curriculum. In collaboration with faculty from UC Santa Barbara and the University of Michigan we conducted a pioneer study to evaluate the strengths of various available testing techniques, including some of the most well thought of "performance tests." The conclusion is that in fact we do not at present have the kind of assessments that are needed, but work is now under way in Pasadena to develop such assessments. The first of the new assessments are now in use, and being disseminated to others.