SCIENCE & TESTING
CMT-SCIENCE
• Given for the first time in Spring 2008 in grades 5 & 8
• Consists of multiple choice and open ended questions
• Based on student expected performances from state frameworks
• Covers Content, Inquiry, and Embedded Tasks
Content• Physical Science• Life Science • Earth Science• Inquiry or Process Skills
K – 5 Science Sequence Chart Time / Pacing
Grade
Fall
Sept.-Nov.
Winter
Dec.-March
Spring
April-June
K
Weather*
Senses
Healthy Body Measurement
Describing Animals
and Plants
1
Animals Shelter
Day Sky
Animals cont.
Soils
Plants
2
Night Sky
Food Resources*
Weather* Properties of Matter
Life Cycles
3
Living Organisms
Changes in Matter
Rocks & Minerals
Earth’s Waters
Resources
4
Changing
Landforms (Sept.-Oct.)
Electricity, Motion
& Magnetism (Nov.-Jan.)
Ecosystems(Feb.-April)
Plant Adaptations Animals
Adaptations & Endangered Species
(April-June)
5
Light & Vision
Sound & Hearing
Earth, Moon & Sun
Earth cont.
Flowering Plants
* Introduced but continued all year as appropriate/mod. 8/29/08
6 – 8 Science Sequence
Time / Pacing
Grade
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
6
Weather
& Climate
Ecosystems
Work
& Energy
Water Quality
7
Matter
Atomic Structure
Structure Cont’d.
Periodic Table
Structure
of the Earth
Earth’s Crust
Cells
Food Technology
8
Force
& Motion
Bridges
Solar
System
Human
Body Systems
(Digestive, Respiratory
& Circulatory)
Genetics
Human Body
Systems Cont’d.
Embedded Tasks
• Inquiry-based Investigations (Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena)
• Two parts- a structured investigation first, then students plan their own based on the problem given.
• Example: Soggy Paper-students first follow a procedure to compare paper towels, napkins and tissue paper in absorbing water, then they design their own experiment to compare two different brands of paper towels in absorbing water.
Embedded Tasks-Elementary School
• 3rd grade-Soggy Paper• 4th grade-Go With The Flow• 5th grade-Catch It
Embedded Tasks-Middle School• 6th grade-Dig It• 7th grade-LifeSavers/Sugar cube (district task)• 8th grade-Feel the Beat, Shipping and Sliding
CMT results-Grade 5-2009
• At/Above Proficiency-86.4%• 9 out of 12 schools above the state average in
proficiency.• 7 out of 12 schools showed an increase in
scores from last year.• We are first in our reference group.
CMT results-Grade 8-2009
• At/Above proficiency-66%• 1 school above the state average in
proficiency• 1 school showed an increase in scores.• We are 4 out of 9 in our reference group
Abilities Necessary to do Scientific Inquiry (5-8)
• Identifies questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
• Design and conduct a scientific investigation.• Use appropriate tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data.• Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using
evidence.• Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence
and explanations.• Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions.• Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.• Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry.• Understanding about scientific inquiry.
District Preparation• Aligned district curriculum with state frameworks• Introduced new state embedded tasks grades 3-8• Required written formal science lab reports each
year• Introduced district science unit assessments in all
topics• Introduced concepts of inquiry based science
instruction• Professional development given in main science
topic areas
Preparation cont.
• Assembled a bank of CMT like questions for ongoing practice and reinforcement
• Organized a CMT like practice exam for grades 8 and 5
• Organized grant opportunities with colleges and IFI for our teachers to attend
• Introduced technology-computers, software, probes and smart boards
CAPT SCIENCE TEST-10th GRADE
• Measures key concepts in Earth, Life and Physical Science as well as in Experimentation
• Consists of clustered multiple choice and open ended questions
• State mandated week- long lab investigation now being replaced by 5 embedded tasks
Experimentation• Recognize and define problems for scientific
investigations• Design appropriate problems to solve the problem• Predict the results based on knowledge of
problem-related content• Conduct investigations, collect data and record
observations• Interpret data, draw conclusions and assess their
validity
SCIENCE STRANDS
9th grade-Strand 1-Energy Transformations9th grade-Strand 2-Chemical Structures and
Properties9th grade-Strand 3-Global Interdependence
SCIENCE STRANDS cont.
10th grade-STRAND 4-Cell Chemistry and Biotechnology
10th grade-STRAND 5-Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity
CAPT Results
• At/Above Proficiency-76%• 2 out of 3 schools showed increase in scores• Achievement gap smaller in Norwalk than the
state average• All 3 schools slightly below state average
DATA COLLECTED
• Individual scores-guides placement in grad prep course, assists teachers in giving in class support
• District scores- used for curriculum revisions• Released items-supports classroom
instruction and additional student practice
LIMITATIONS OF DATA
• Scores for each domain but not broken down by objective
• Not all topics covered equally in test questions• Released items only a sample from the test
What We HAVE DONE WITH RESULTS• Science graduation credits now increased to 3• Low level courses have been eliminated• All biology students now get a full lab experience• Emphasis on writing in all science classes• Grad prep classes offered for graduation• New science electives introduced- Meteorology, Science &
Society, Biotechnology, Anatomy & Physiology• 9th and 10th grade courses revamped based on new
frameworks and test results• Teacher resource guides for full year science courses• Introduced more inquiry-based lab investigations using the
CAPT lab rubric• Started a pre-engineering program with technology called
Project Lead The Way• Developed an accelerated sequence for 9th grades to take
Biology
OTHER ASSESSMENTS
• District unit exams and required labs in 9th and 10th grade science
• Close monitoring of AP enrollment and performance
• Embedded Tasks now part of our curriculum
New Developments
• National Science Standards Under Revision• State considering adopting new standards and
joining other states for testing• STEM initiatives part of new graduation
requirements• No changes to CMT and CAPT until 2014 or
later