Preparing Children
Promoting Excellence
Science Update
On the
Presented by:
Chris Castillo-Comer
Director of Science
Irene Pickhardt
Asst. Director of Science
Division of Curriculum and
Professional Development
6/22/01
Texas
Assessment of
Knowledge and
Skills
Texas Education Agency
Chris Comer
Did You Know?
Science Educators can be proud of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Higher scores on science TAAS
Greater Physics enrollment
Increased AP course completion
Leadership in science safety
Increased funding for professional development
Forming alliances:
–
–
–
–
6/22/01
TUSC: Texas Urban Science Council
SESnet: ESC science specialists network
Executive consortia: Leadership for science
Texas State Science Summit
Texas Education Agency
Course Selections:
YET,
WHILE
PHYSICS
ENROLLMENT
HAS
INCREASED,
ENROLLMENT
IN
CHEMISTRY
AND
PHYSICS
LAG
COMPARED
TO
IPC
Chris Comer
1999-2000 Enrollment in
Selected Science Courses
• IPC
222,318
• Chemistry 155,636
• Physics
67,663
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
ACT Graduating Class ‘99
State Percentage
Completing 3 or More Years of ...
AND,
MOST
STUDENTS
STILL
TAKE
ONLY
TWO
YEARS OF
SCIENCE
Reading/LA
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Chris Comer
6/22/01
100%
100%
92%
76%
Texas Education Agency
Science Assessments
SCIENCE
LEARNING
WILL
BE
IMPORTANT
Mandated by 76th Legislature in June ‘99
Senate Bill 103
• Elementary test will be given in English and
Spanish
• Equipment listed in the TEKS must be provided
for all students
• 10th and 11th grade exit level will include
”At least biology and integrated chemistry
and physics”
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
TEXAS ASSESSMENT of KNOWLEDGE
and SKILLS (TAKS)
• This year’s 1st grade students and 8th
grade students will be the first to take
science TAKS.
• Schools must make sure that students
have multiple opportunities to learn the
concepts to be tested.
• Adequacy of preparation must be
assured.
Chris Comer
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
A New Vision for Science
•Reflection of actual
classroom practice
•Emphasis on “doing science”
•Focus on teaching the TEKS
•TAKS preparation materials
unnecessary
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Science TAKS
• Has a multiple choice format
• Will not be a performance test
• Will stress the process skills
since they are the heart of
science
• Asks for a deeper conceptual
understanding of science
concepts
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Science Assessment
• TEKS-based TAAS will be tested at 8th
grade and Biology End of Course (EOC)
assessments until spring of 2002.
• TAKS science will begin testing at
5th grade, 10th grade, and 11th grade
Exit level in spring 2003.
• Science TAKS will be on the accountability
system in 2004.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Science Assessment
Teachers need to know
about:
• Survey results
• Teacher responses
• Bracketed items
• Test objectives
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Survey Results
1st survey:
2nd survey:
• 8,273 science
• 6,099 science
surveys from
surveys from
educators K-16
elementary and
• Objectives 2-6
secondary
rewritten
campuses
• 36 Student
• Changes were
Expectations
made to respond to
deleted
educator input
Chris Comer
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
What Are
[Bracketed]
Items?
“The student expectation has been
presented in its entirety for two reasons:
to clarify the link to the curriculum and to
provide background information for test
items. However, bracketed text will not
be specifically tested on TAKS.”
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Bracketed Items:
The Elementary Science TAKS given at
grade five will have these items bracketed:
•
Computers, critique, promotional materials,
cameras, sound recorders, and hot plates
10th grade science assessment:
•
Critique, and promotional materials
11th grade exit level science assessment:
•
Mechanical Advantage and (water as the)
universal solvent
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Science TAKS at Grade 10 and Exit
Level Grade 11 Will Include:
• Calculator: possible use of at least a fourfunction calculator
• Metric ruler: a metric ruler will be provided for
metric measurement
• Periodic table: students will be provided a
periodic table
• Formula chart: students will be provided a
chart that includes necessary formulas for
TAKS
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Grade 5 Science
TAKS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TAKS OBJECTIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
knowledge
& skills
Nature of science
Life science
Physical science
Earth science
Total
4
7
5
8
24
student
expectations
10
15
12
17
54
Bracketed items:
Computers, critique, promotional materials, cameras,
sound recorders, hot plates
• “Such as” are only examples but “including” means that
these topics must be taught
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
About the Grade 10 and Exit Level Grade
11 Science Assessments...
• The grade 10 and grade 11 exit level science
assessments are based on the TEKS for
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) and
Biology.
• The grade 10 and exit level grade 11 science
assessments are not identical.
• The differences are slight and are based on
further science instruction and the ability for
more mature critical thinking.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Grade 10 Science
TAKS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TAKS OBJECTIVES:
Science processes:
1. The nature of science
Science concepts:
2. Biological concepts
3. Biology--ecological concepts
4. IPC--chemistry concepts
5. IPC—physics concepts
» Total
KS
3
7
4
4
3
3
6
6
7
6
17
31
• 4 student expectations are in 10th grade only:
• Bio 6(D); IPC 7(E); IPC 5(A); and IPC 6(F)
• Bracketed items: critique, promotional materials
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
SE
Grade 11 Science
TAKS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TAKS OBJECTIVES:
Science Processes:
1. The Nature of Science
Science Concepts:
2. Biology Concepts
3. Biology--Ecological Concepts
4. IPC--Chemistry Concepts
5. IPC—Physics Concepts
» Total
KS
SE
3
7
4
5
3
3
7
8
7
7
18
36
• The following concepts are in the grade 11 exit level science
TAKS only: 1 KS--Bio 9; 8 SE—Bio 6(B); Bio 7(A); Bio 9(D)
IPC 7(D); IPC 9(B); IPC 4(D); IPC 5(B); IPC 6(D)
• Bracketed : mechanical advantage and universal solvent
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Please Note--in the Grade 11
Exit Level Test Only:
This concept can be taught through
any secondary science course:
• Biology (9) science concepts.
The student knows metabolic processes
and energy transfers that occur in living
organisms. The student is expected to:
(D) analyze the flow of matter and energy
through different tropic levels and
between organisms and the physical
environment.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
What’s Next?
Fall 2001-pilot testing
– Volunteer districts/campuses
Spring 2002-field testing
– All districts, at some level
– April 22-May 10
2001-2002 school year
– Educator guides distributed
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Instructional Implications
• What changes in instruction should
occur in our district, school, or
classroom based on what we know
about the new objectives, TEKS
expectations, and format for :
• Elementary Science TAKS ?
• Science TAKS at 10th grade?
• Science TAKS exit level grade 11?
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Science Instructional Materials
Adoption
Textbooks and Instructional
Materials are now aligned to the TEKS;
which are the basis of the TAKS.
$92.5
Million
Adoption
Budget
Chris Comer
Middle School Science:
Grade 6-English and Spanish
Grade 7 and Grade 8
High School Science:
Integrated Chemistry and Physics, Chemistry, Physics
Environmental Systems, Astronomy
Advanced Placement
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Science Is Moving Away From
Materials that just stress…
1. “Cookbook” labs
2. Details, details, details
3. The scientific method
4. “Do the questions”
5. Only one answer
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
A New Vision for Science
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Detailed background information
Student misconceptions identified
Help identifying broad ideas
Formative assessments
Summative assessments
The use of rubrics
Students doing inquiry
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
TAKS Science
• It is important to note that students on
the Minimum High School graduation
plan, the Recommended Graduation
Plan, or the Distinguished
Achievement Graduation Program
should have adequacy of preparation
and multiple opportunities to learn the
concepts to be tested at grade 10 and
exit level grade 11 science TAKS.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
TAKS Elementary Science Test
Given at Grade Five
• Not just a 5th grade science test: includes
TEKS from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
• Integrates life, earth and physical sciences
• Builds the foundation for Biology,
Chemistry, and Physics concepts tested in
TAKS 10th and the 11th grade exit level
TAKS in high school
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Elementary Science
Science is a foundation
subject…not an elective.
• Science learning enhances mathematics
skills
• Science related items make up to 40-60% of
the reading TAAS
• Science promotes problem solving and
critical thinking
• Science instruction increases language
development for ESL students
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Elementary Science
TAKS
• Textbooks and instructional materials are
only resources…the TEKS are the curriculum
framework
• Includes K-5 strand content: science will
need to be taught at each elementary grade to
ensure student success
• Time requirements: “teachers must have
enough time to teach the science TEKS and
students must have enough time to learn the
science TEKS”
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Importance of “Strands”
• The science TEKS contain
“strands” that connect broad
themes across the grade levels
• Certain themes pervade science:
• Constancy and change
• Form and function
• Properties, patterns and models
• Systems
These strands are evident in TAKS objectives
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
An Example of A Strand
Systems
Tested
• Grade 11 Exit Biology 9D
at:
Exit Level
– Analyze the flow of matter and energy through
different trophic levels
Grade 11
• Grade 10 12D investigates interactions in an
ecosystem
10th grade • Grade 7.12B observe how organisms including
producers, consumers, and decomposers live
together in an environment and use existing
resources
5th grade
• Elementary assessment grade 5: 2.9(D)
• Compare the ways living organisms depend
on each other and their environments
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Systems in the Elementary
Assessment
• The systems TEKS repeated in
three of the four elementary
objectives
• Systems are found in:
– Life sciences—e.g. Ecosystems, the
human body
– Physical sciences—e.g. Machines
– Earth sciences—e.g. Watersheds,
planetary systems
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
What Do Students Need to Know
About Systems?
• 5.5 The student knows that a
systems is a collection of cycles,
structures, and processes that
interact. The student is expected to
– (A) describe some cycles, structures,
and processes that are found in a
simple system; and
– (B) describe some interactions that
occur in a simple system.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
All TEKS Are Required
• The TEKS outline what all students
must know and be able to do.
• Some student expectations are not
tested, yet they may be critical for
student understanding.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Role of Untested TEKS in
Student Understanding
• Not tested
– 5.12(d) “identify gravity as the force that
keeps planets in orbit around the sun and
the moon in orbit around the earth”
• Tested
– 5.12(a) “interpret how land forms are the
result of a combination of constructive and
destructive forces such as deposition of
sediment…..”
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The “Heart” of Science
Objective 1:
The Nature of
Science
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Scientific Methods
• The use of scientific methods during
field and laboratory investigations
– Plan and implement investigative
procedures
• Ask questions
• Formulate hypotheses
• Select equipment and technology
– Collect data and make measurements
– Organize, analyze, make inferences from
data
– Communicate
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Types of Investigations
• Field
• Classroom
• Laboratory
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Laboratory and Field
Investigations
• What is included in the student
expectation (SE)?
• Students conduct field,
classroom, and laboratory
investigations
• Safety
• Use and conservation of resources
• Disposal and recycling
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Student Is Expected To:
• Plan and implement
investigative procedures
including
• Ask questions
• Formulate testable hypotheses
• Select and use tools and
technology
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Student Is Expected To:
• Demonstrate safe
practices during field
and laboratory
investigations
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Examples of Equipment Which May Be
Found on Elementary Science
TAKS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Meter sticks
Magnets
Hand lenses
Compasses
Consult TEKS 4(A)
Thermometers
at each grade level
from Grades K-8
Collecting nets
Weather instruments
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Scientific Processes
Laboratory and Field
Investigations
Scientific Methods
Critical Thinking
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Student Is Expected To:
• Represent the natural world using
models and identify their limitations
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Student Is Expected To:
• Analyze, review, and critique scientific
explanations
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Student Is Expected To:
• Collect data by observing and
measuring
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Student Is Expected To:
• Make wise choices in • During laboratory or
the use and
field
conservation of
resources and the
disposal or recycling
of materials
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Student Is Expected To:
•
•
•
•
•
Organize
Analyze
Evaluate
Make inferences
Predict trends from direct and indirect
evidence
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
How Do We Get There?
Professional Development Is:
Chris Comer
A planned, collaborative, educational process of
continuous improvement for teachers that helps them
do five things:
– 1. Deepen their knowledge of the subject they are
teaching;
– 2. Sharpen their teaching skills in the classroom;
– 3. Keep up with developments in their fields and in
education generally;
– 4. Generate and contribute new knowledge to the
profession; and
– 5. Increase their ability to monitor student’s work,
so they can provide constructive feedback to
students and appropriately redirect their own
teaching. Texas Education Agency
6/22/01
How Can Districts or Schools
Prepare for TAKS?
Districts should ensure that:
• Learning is connected across the grade levels
• Multiple opportunities to learn science concepts in
different contexts are assured
• Cumulative, comprehensive, increasingly complex
sequences of learning experiences are built
• Seamless education preK-12 is created
• Students are enrolled in science
during grade 11
• Adequacy of preparation is planned
• Systems thinking is applied
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
About Middle School Science...
• After spring 2002, there will not be an 8th grade science
assessment.
• This does not mean that science at grades 6-8 is no longer
important! In fact, it will be even more important to strengthen
the the 6-8 program to ensure success at grade 10 and exit level
grade 11 science assessments.
• Middle school teachers must be aware of the middle school
science concepts and their connections to the TEKS tested at
grade 10 and exit level grade 11 assessments.
• The strength of the 6-8 science program has a direct effect on
the student course selections.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
The Burning Question:
What’s the Best Course
Sequence for Science?
• Biology is now a required course for all students in
Texas.
• Students are required to take the IPC course or the
Chemistry and Physics courses.
• For all graduation plans, students are encouraged to
take the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics sequence by
the State Board of Education.
• Students are urged to take four years of science.
Chris Comer
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
It’s Important to Remember
That...
• The Integrated Physics and Chemistry
(IPC) course is not mandatory for all
students.
• IPC was intended to be an entry level
course. It is not recommended for 11th
or 12th grade students.
• “Prerequisite for IPC: none. This course
is recommended for students in grades 9
and 10.”
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Science TAKS
• Students in the Minimum High School Program
typically take IPC and Biology.
• Students in either the Minimum or Recommended
Program may choose to take the separate Chemistry
and Physics courses instead of IPC.
• The student expectations in the grade 10 and grade
11 exit level science assessments are from the IPC
and Biology courses; however,
• Students will be prepared to be successful on the test
whether they take the IPC course or the separate
Chemistry and Physics courses.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
A Note About IPC:
• Integrated physics and chemistry (IPC) should be taught
as an integrated course and not just a revised physical
science class.
• The integration of physics and chemistry are especially
important to address earth science concepts which will no
longer have a separate objective at grade 10 or grade 11
exit level science assessments.
• Earth science concepts on the grades 10 and 11 exit level
assessments will be addressed through the integration
found in IPC, biology, and the science processes.
• Again, a strong grade 6-8 science program will help our
students to apply earth science concepts.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
About the Grade 10 and Exit Level
Grade 11 Science Assessments...
• It is important to note that students enrolled in a
science course in the 11th grade have an opportunity to
enhance their ability to be successful on the 11th grade
exit level test.
• Elective science courses such as Aquatic Science,
Environmental Systems, Geology, Meteorology, and
Oceanography (GMO) should stress connections to the
TAKS objectives.
• By no means, however, does this imply that the
curriculum for these courses should be changed so that
they are TAKS science review or remediation courses.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Implications of the New
Graduation Requirements
on Middle School Students
•Beginning 2004 incoming freshman will
enter under new requirements which require
3 years of science.
•Students beginning grade 6 in 2001-2002
will be the first students to be required to
take at least 3 years of science.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Professional Development
Opportunities
for Texas
Science Teachers…
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
New!!! Texas Science Center for
Professional Development
and Assessment
•
•
•
•
Bridging to TAKS institutes
Trainer of trainer model
Administrator overview
Presented in five sites: Brownsville,
Dallas, El Paso, Houston,
San Antonio
Products to prepare for
TAKS: 3 new charts
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Training Schedule for
Bridging to TAKS
Science Education Service Center
specialists (SESnet) at each of the
twenty Education Service Centers have
been trained and will be providing
these sessions.
Over 100 administrators and over
150 Trainer of Trainer participants
have the resources to deliver these
sessions throughout the state.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
CATS Project
Comprehensive Assessment Training in Science
•
•
•
•
Teacher as leader model
Administrator Symposia
Parent nights
Presented in ten sites: Corpus Christi, Edinburg, El
Paso, Houston, Kilgore, Lubbock, Richardson, San
Angelo, San Antonio, Waco
• Products to prepare for TAKS
– Coherent assessment techniques
– Lesson templates
– Guide to the TEKS
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
CATS Project Schedule:
Teachers As Leaders
Institutes
CATS
•More than 1000 administrators were given insight into
the resources and training available to their teachers,
parents, and community members during April and
May of 2001.
•The “Teacher as Leaders” CATS training and resources
will go out to over 1000 educators in the fall of 2001.
•Check with your Education Service Center science
specialist for details or call 210-208-8133 for dates and
locations.
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Dana Center Professional
Development in Science
•
•
•
•
•
•
Toolkit: http://www.tenet.edu/teks/science
Safety: workshops and handbook
TEKS charts: K-12 in color, and foldout formats
Family science: kits and workshops
Leadership Academies: future leadership
TEXTEAMS: megavistas K-2, 3-5, 6-8
» Biology institutes: Fall ‘01
Trainer of trainer model in three sites:
Fort Worth, Houston, Austin
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
SCIENCE
TEXTEAMS
Constancy and Change
Training on TEXTEAMS will continue
year-round throughout the State!
Contact 512-471-6191 or
www.tenet.edu/teks/science
for more details
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in
Science Teaching
• High quality, sustained professional
development in 20 sites around the state
• Statewide Marco Polo training, GLOBE training
(www. Globe.gov), technology training;
• Teacher centered science content training
• Collaborates with ESC, university, K-12
schools and districts
• Each of the 750 teachers involved in the
program received 105 to 150 hours of
professional development in physics concepts
this year!
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Professional Development
Materials Include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Detailed background information
Student misconceptions identified
Broad concepts explained
The use of formative assessments
Varied summative assessments
The use of rubric assessments
Student inquiry, problem solving, and
critical thinking
• “Science for all”
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Professional Development
...And
Future Trends
• Information disseminated on
–
–
–
–
Science educator guides
Sample items and format discussions
Scoring and understanding data
Reporting data
• Using the data to improve instruction
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency
Who To Contact:
TSELA
Barbara ten Brink
• Center for Professional
512-464-5077
Development and
Texas Regional Collaboratives
Assessment
Joel Blasingame
Anna McClane
512-471-9279
713-744-6565
TEA Science Staff
• CATS Project
Chris Castillo-Comer,
Joan Drennan-Taylor
Director of Science
210-208-8133
Irene Pickhardt,
• Dana Center
Assistant Director
Mary Jane Schott
512-463-9556
Jim Collins
TEA Science Assessment
512-471-6191
Phyllis Kirkpatrick
512-682-2200
6/22/01
Texas Education Agency