What Does it Take to be Proficient?

      This week we started our CA Standardized Tests at my high school. There is a major push this year because we dropped a few points in API last year. It was expected because we have really skyrocketed for the last 7-8 years. Falling back a tad was inevitable. So we have been working like mad to get the students ready for their tests.

     When it comes to these standardized tests, the students scores determine their ability. Generally, they are scored/labeled as Far Below Basic, Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced. For purposes of API accounting, we want every student to be at "Proficient" as a minimum. Sure, for all of our students to be labeled "Advanced" would be great, but not likely. 

     What would you expect "Proficient" to mean in terms of the actual percentage of correct answers? 75%? 80%? Nope, it is 58% give or take a few points. Exactly. If you get a little over half of the answers correct on the state test covering an entire school year of science, the state says you are proficient at it. You would flunk any class with that percentage, but the politicians are happy with it. Tells you a lot about politicians, doesn't it.

What would you expect Advanced to be? 90%? 100%? Try 65%. Yes, my friends, a "D" is considered "Advanced" in the state of California. That is how much education is valued. A "D" is not just good enough, it shows mastery.

That is the bang you are getting for your buck.

Next Generation Science Standards Are Out!

            After months of waiting, the final draft of the Next Generation Science Standards is available. What this means is that these national standards have been released so that the individual states can chose to adopt or not adopt them. Although it is not mandatory to do so, in the end most states will likely adopt them. Why? In a word: Uniformity. If a student moves from one state to another, there needs to some continuity between what they were learning in their old school and what they will learn in their new school. [I've heard the conspiracy theory about the government wanting to brainwash our children using CC and NGSS and I think it is silly. There are far easier ways to do that using television.]

            Despite what many are saying, there is nothing ground breaking in the new standards. In fact, science students in CA are going to be responsible for learning less than they were before on most topics (except possible climate change). The idea is to go deeper into each concept, which I am all for.

            My only real beef with the standards are the assessments. They have not been created yet, but it is expected that there will be less multiple choice and more writing and possibly Lab Practicals involved. I don’t see how the state of California can afford to do score these types of tests. Multiple choice tests are easy with their bubbled–in forms that can be quickly scanned by computer. But scoring something as subjective as an essay or diagram or expecting the schools to pay for Lab Practical materials does not make good sense.

            So, we wait on pins and needles. The states will spend the next school year creating their own Standards and assessments based on the NGSS. They will ask for public comments (and possibly listen to them). There will be no end-of-course (CST) tests for high school next year in CA and only pilot testing the following year. That should help.

Increasing Science Literacy!

           It takes a lot to get me excited, but I am very excited about our newest product. It is our first product SPECIFICALLY geared towards the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. I know, right? Very cool!

            As you know, the NGSS and CC science addendum bend towards the analysis of concepts to increase understanding.  In that vein, we have created a simple form for helping students learn how to analyze a science journal article. It includes a form for lower-level science and upper level science courses. It is also useful for middle school science as long as you can find suitable journal articles. Perhaps you could create your own “faux articles” in place of actual journal articles. We may be releasing a middle school version in the future that does this for you.

Check back for more exciting new products in the future!