Assessing the life science knowledge of students and teachers represented by the K-8 national science standards.

ABSTRACT: We report on the development of an item test bank and associated instruments based on the National Research Council (NRC) K-8 life sciences content standards. Utilizing hundreds of studies in the science education research literature on student misconceptions, we constructed 476 unique multiple-choice items that measure the degree to which test takers hold either a misconception or an accepted scientific view. Tested nationally with 30,594 students, following their study of life science, and their 353 teachers, these items reveal a range of interesting results, particularly student difficulties in mastering the NRC standards. Teachers also answered test items and demonstrated a high level of subject matter knowledge reflecting the standards of the grade level at which they teach, but exhib

SUBMITTER: Sadler PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3763021 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature