Wisconsin Student Assessment System Criterion-Referenced Test Framework For the fall Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations Statewide Assessment Assessment Framework for Science In Grades 4, 8, and 10 Developed from Wisconsin’s K-12 Model Academic Standards for Science Elizabeth Burmaster, State Superintendent Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction CTB/McGraw-Hill Test Development Contractor March, 2006 This document provides an indication of the range of coverage on the science portion of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination that will be administered statewide in Wisconsin each November beginning in 2007 in grades 4, 8, and 10. It is intended to foster discussion among educators and others across grades and across subject areas. It should be used in conjunction with the Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Science and your local curriculum. March, 2006 Office of Educational Accountability Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 125 South Webster Street P.O. Box 7841 Madison, WI 53707-7841 The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Table of Contents Overview …………………………………………………………………………………. 1 General Test Specifications ………………………………………………………………. 1 Reporting Categories ……………………………………………………………………... 2 Frequently Asked Questions ……………………………………………………………… 5 What is the framework? ………………….………………………………………... 6 How can I use the framework? …………...………………………………………... 6 Do I need to teach something if it isn’t assessed at my grade level? …………….... 7 Does the science framework replace our local curriculum or Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Science? ………………………….................................. 7 How does the framework relate to our local curriculum? …………………………. 8 What is a criterion-referenced test? ………………………………………………... 8 What kinds of questions will be on the test? ……………………………................. 8 How can I help my students prepare for the test? …………………………………. 9 Whom can I contact with questions or suggestions? …………………………….... 9 Science Frameworks ………………………………………………………………... 10 Beginning of Grade 4 ……………………………………………………………... 10 Beginning of Grade 8 ……………………………………………………………... 22 Beginning of Grade 10 ……………………………………………………………. 37 Glossary of Terms Used in the Wisconsin Science Assessment Framework ……………. 58 WKCE Science Assessment Framework Overview and General Test Specifications Overview The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires all states to test all students in science once in grades 3 through 5, once in grades 6 through 8, and once in high school. Under Wisconsin law s. 118.30, students are to be assessed in grades 4, 8, and 10. Thus, beginning in 2007-08 school year, both state and federal laws apply to science; the result is that students will be assessed in grades 4, 8, and 10. These tests are referred to as the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE) and will replace WKCE science tests beginning in fall 2007. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction published a request for proposals to support the development of customized criterion-referenced reading, mathematics, and science tests. CTB/McGraw-Hill was awarded the contract. Panels of Wisconsin teachers began meeting during the 2004–2005 school year to develop a science framework that provides content information about science for the beginning of grades 4, 8, and 10. Those teachers also reviewed (accept/reject/edit) all customized items developed by the contractor. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction contracted with three national experts to evaluate the work of CTB/McGraw-Hill as well as to advise the department on issues of validity and reliabil- ity of the new WKCE test design for reading, mathematics, and science. This Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met initially in February 2004 and will meet twice annually in the future to assure the continued technical validity of the tests. General Test Specifications Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, items developed for the new WKCE tests in science will be either selected-response (multiple-choice) or constructed-response (CR) format. The test reporting categories and items assigned to measure each reporting category are aligned to the Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Science with appropriate science framework descriptors supporting learning expectations for tests administered in the fall semester. The test design draws approximately 80% of the total score points from selected-response items and 20% of the score points from student- generated constructed-response items. It is important to point out that CR items will be used for certain standards when selected-response (SR) items are not available or feasible to use. All students in grades 4, 8, and 10 will be tested in science using these new customized WKCE tests beginning in fall 2007. Students with disabilities will be allowed accommodations during these tests unless an alternate assessment is required based on an IEP process. Students whose English language proficiency as tested on state-approved language proficiency examinations is level three or higher will take the WKCE tests with allowable accommodations. English language learners with language proficiency scores less than three will take an alternate assessment. All alternate assessments are aligned to state standards. Students in grades 4, 8, and 10 will continue to be assessed in language arts and social studies as required by s. 118.30 Wisconsin Statutes. These assessments will be a shelf-test provided under the terms of the department’s contract with CTB/McGraw-Hill. March, 2006 1 Reporting Categories WKCE Science Assessment Framework Table 1. Science Assessment Framework Information WKCE Science REPORTING CATEGORIES A. SCIENCE CONNECTIONS B. NATURE OF SCIENCE C. SCIENCE INQUIRY D. PHYSICAL SCIENCE E. EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE F. LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE G. SCIENCE APPLICATIONS H. SCIENCE IN SOCIAL AND PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES 2 March, 2006 WKCE Science Assessment Framework Reporting Categories Table 2. Science Assessment Framework WKCE Science* REPORTING CATEGORIES, 2007-08 (80% of score points: selected response/20% constructed-response**) Science Standard Estimated Percentage of Score Points per Grade Gr4 Gr8 Gr10 A. Science Connections 15 10 10 B. Nature of Science 10 10 10 C. Science Inquiry 18 20 20 D. Physical Science 13 14 14 E. Earth and Space Science 13 13 13 F. Life and Environmental Science 13 14 14 G. Science Applications 8 10 10 H. Science in Social and Personal Perspectives 10 10 10 * Distribution of items across standards may vary slightly from year to year. ** CR items will be used for certain standards if SR items are not available or feasible to use. March, 2006 3 Reporting Categories WKCE Science Assessment Framework Figure 1. Distribution of WKCE science score points by benchmark grades of 4, 8, and 10. Bands indicate percent of score points at grade elvel related to each standard. Blueprint for the WKCE Science* Science Connections Nature of Science Scientific Inquiry Physical Science Earth Science Life & Environmental Science Science Applications Social/Personal Perspectives Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 10 * Distribution of items across standards may vary slightly from year to year. 4 March, 2006 WKCE Science Assessment Framework Reporting Categories Figure 2. Represents content benchmark points for science from both the Science Framework and Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Science. K-12 Wisconsin Science Content Known Benchmark Points K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Science framework benchmark point (beginning of grades 4, 8, and 10) Science standards benchmark point (end of grades 4, 8, and 12) March, 2006 5 WKCE Science Assessment Framework Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions What is the framework? The framework was derived from Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Science and designed to provide clarity and specificity to the standards and to provide greater details about what will be assessed on the WKCE for science. The blueprint (Figure 1) provides information about the range and coverage for each content standard in science for the three grades being assessed. Relationships among the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards, test blueprint, test, and framework. WKCE Wisconsin’s Test Test for Model Academic Framework Blueprint Science Standards for (Fig. 1) Science How can I use the framework? You can use the framework to ensure that your local curriculum includes the knowledge and skills described in the framework. However, since the science assessment framework is only an indication of the knowledge and skills that will be assessed on the November WKCE, this information does not replace your local curriculum. Another way to use the framework is as a basis for teachers to engage in multi-grade-level discussions. Since the test is administered in the fall, students should have an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills that will be assessed prior to the tested grade. Similarly, teachers will want to examine test results for feedback on what is happening at their own grade level, as illustrated in the example in Figure 3. Finally, the science framework (and standards) is not grade specific, discussions can take place about what portion or aspects of the framework should be learned at each grade leading to the tested grades. March, 2006 6 WKCE Science Assessment Framework