arkansas act aspire - science overview ua – fort smith stem education center stephen brodie,...
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ARKANSAS ACT Aspire - Science
Overview
UA – Fort Smith STEM Education Center
Stephen Brodie, Science Instructional Specialist
Goals
● New Arkansas State Science Standards Update
● ACT Aspire and Arkansas Testing
● Science Reasoning and Test Question Preparation
Introduction and Center Info
Arkansas and ACT Aspire• Administered at grades 3 – 10
• ELA (English, Reading and Writing),
Mathematics, and Science (at all grades)
Arkansas and ACT Aspire
Beginning 2015-16, replaces...
• Benchmark Science – Grades 5 and 7• EOC Biology Exam
Arkansas and ACT Aspire• Grades 3-8
• Grade specific• Not a predictor for ACT Score
• Grades 9 and 10• Early High School Assessment• Predictor for ACT Score• Not course specific• Students will be tested by grade enrolled
Arkansas and ACT AspireACT Aspire Periodic Assessments• Paid for by the state• Voluntary for schools to use• 3 Interims and multiple classroom assessments• Available late Fall• Online only• More info to come
Arkansas and ACT AspireThe ACT in 2015-2016• Available for all students in grade 11 only• Optional (on a student by student basis)
• Not used in Accountability calculations• Data is shared
• Paid for by the state• Online or Paper administration
Test Length & Time Schedule
Test Question Breakdown
ACT Aspire Science
The ACT Science and ACT Aspire Science is probably the least understood portion of these type of assessments for the ACT.
Despite what its name suggests, this IS NOT a science knowledge-based test.
The ACT is not going to ask you to identify steps of cell division, balance a chemical equation, or determine the velocity of a moving object.
Science Content Knowledge
Background knowledge acquired in general science courses may be needed to answer some questions in upper grades.
Tests DO NOT, however, sample specific content knowledge with enough regularity to make inferences about a student’s attainment of science content.
ACT Aspire stresses science practices over recall of scientific content, complex mathematical skills, and reading ability.
Science Passage Varies Widely
Biology; life sciences (earlier grades) Chemistry and physics (physical science for earlier grades)
Earth/space science (astronomy, meteorology, geology)
These topics only provide a framework for the passage; specific knowledge of these subjects are usually not required. Any specialized terms (often printed in italics) will be defined for you in the introductory lines of the passage.
ACT Aspire Test Format
3 DOMAINS:
Interpretation of Data
Scientific Investigation
Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results
ACT Aspire Test Format
3 DOMAINS:
Interpretation of Data
Scientific Investigation
Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results
ACT Aspire Test Format
ACT Aspire Science Test Typically Requires the Following Skills
• Read, select, and interpret data from charts, tables, and graphs.• Compare or combine data from different charts, tables, graphs, • Extrapolate data (take info that is there and draw conclusions
and make predictions about the results of additional tests or data)
• Compare and contrast opposing viewpoints• Determine which Claim/viewpoint is valid based on data and
text• Translate information from a chart/text into a graph• Use math• Write explanatory text to convey information citing textual
evidence • Understand “good” experimental design
Practices –Where?? Literacy/Math/Science
Developing and using models
Analyzing and interpreting data Using mathematics and computational thinking
Asking questions
Constructing explanations Engaging in argument from evidence Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Practices –Where?? Literacy/Math/Science
Science & Engineering Practices
Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
Developing and using models Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data Using mathematics and computational thinking Constructing explanations (science) and designing solutions
(engineer) Engaging in argument from evidence Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
ELA, Math, & Science Practices
ELA, Math, & Science Commonalities
New AR Science Standards
Science Standard
Literacy CCSS
Connection
Math CCSS Connection
tn.ACTAspire.orgusername: science3
science4
scienceehs etc.
password: actaspire
NOTE:May not work with some browsers.Requires Java. Look for notifications on screen during logon.
Selected Response
Justification / Explanation (Constructed Response)
Technology Enhanced
Technology Enhanced
Online Test Features
● Magnifier● Line Reader● Answer Masking● Question Eliminator● Bookmark● Review
Finishing the test
Reports
Depth of Knowledge
DOK
Level of ThinkingBloom’s Taxonomy & Webb’s DOK
Beginning at the Beginning
What DOK is can best be explained by saying first what DOK is not…. • DOK is not a verb. • DOK is not about the “difficulty” of the task.• DOK is not a grade-level indicator.
DOK is not a VERBDescribe . . . • how many apples you see in the picture. • the process of photosynthesis. • how the two political parties are alike. • your analysis of the literary elements in
Snow Falling on Cedars as the novel reflected the effect of WWII on America.
DOK is about what follows the VERB
What comes after the verb is more important than the verb itself.
“Analyze this sentence to decide if the commas have been used correctly” does not meet the criteria for high cognitive processing.
Rationale: The student who has been taught the rule for using commas is merely using the rule.
DOK is not about difficulty
Who was the 16th president of the United States?
• If all of you know the answer, this question is an easy question.
Who was the 14th president of the United States?
• If most of you do not know the answer, this question is a difficult question.
DOK is About Intended Outcome, NOT difficulty
DOK is a reference to the complexity of mental processing that must occur to answer a question, perform a task, or generate a product.
DOK is about Complexity
• Every ACT Aspire Science test question has a DOK level.
• Instruction and classroom assessments should reflect the DOK level of the objective.
When Assigning the DOK Level
Consider…..• the level of work students are most commonly
required to perform. • the complexity of the task, rather than its difficulty.
The DOK level describes the kind of thinking involved in a task, not the likelihood that the task will be completed correctly.
Depth of Knowledge
Depth of Knowledge
Depth of Knowledge
Depth of Knowledge
ACT Aspire Test Format
3 DOMAINS:
Interpretation of Data
Scientific Investigation
Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results
ACT Aspire Test Format
Depth of Knowledge
Depth of Knowledge
Depth of Knowledge
ACT Aspire and DOK
*ACT Aspire will NOT have any Level 4 DOK
Developing DOK Questions in Science
DOK Levels 1 - 4 • DOK Level 1: Recall & Reproduction• • DOK Level 2: Skill & Concepts / Basic Reasoning• • DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking / Complex Reasoning• • DOK Level 4: Extended Thinking/Reasoning
DOK – Moving from 1 to 4
DOK 1: can involve recalling a fact, such as: “Name a food group.”
DOK 2: applies to knowledge: “Which food group is missing from this meal?”
DOK 3: invites deeper thought: “Cite evidence that many teenagers have poor diets.”
DOK 4: extends the learning: “Design a campaign to improve teenage eating habits.”
DOK – Moving from 1 to 4
DOK 1: What is a solid? What is a liquid? Identify the properties of a solid. Identify the properties of a liquid. Using the list provided, identify which are solids and which are liquids. Draw a picture of your solid/liquid. DOK 2: Describe the difference between a solid and a liquid. Give an example of each. Compare two solids. Compare two liquids. DOK 3: Is toothpaste a solid or a liquid? Explain and justify your answer. DOK 4: We have been working with solids and liquids over the past few weeks. Design a plan, carry out an investigation, and share your results with classmates.
Inquiry Constructs for Assessment
Karin Hess
Code for a DOK Science Level
Which group of organisms would all be found living in a tropical rain forest?
A) Lizards, insects, cacti, kangaroosB) Vines, palm trees, tree frogs, monkeysC) Evergreens, moose, weasels, minkD) Lichens, mosses, caribou, polar bears
~ grade 8 assessments
Code for a DOK Science Level
Which group of organisms would all be found living in a tropical rain forest?
A) Lizards, insects, cacti, kangaroosB) Vines, palm trees, tree frogs, monkeysC) Evergreens, moose, weasels, minkD) Lichens, mosses, caribou, polar bears
~ grade 8 assessments
Level 1. This item assesses “the recall of information such as a fact or definition.”
Code for a DOK Science Level
~ grade 4 assessments
Which is most likely to make a rock break open?
A) Dew evaporating on a rock
B) Tree leaves decaying on a rock
C) Snow melting on a rock
D) Water freezing in a crack in a rock
Code for a DOK Science Level
~ grade 4 assessments
Level 1. This item requires that students recall a basic property of water – that expands when it freezes.
Which is most likely to make a rock break open?
A) Dew evaporating on a rock
B) Tree leaves decaying on a rock
C) Snow melting on a rock
D) Water freezing in a crack in a rock
Code for a DOK Science Level
When operating, ordinary incandescent light bulbs produce a lot of heat
in addition to light. Fluorescent light bulbs produce much less heat when
operating. If you wanted to conserve electricity, which type of bulb
should you use? Explain your answer.
~ grade 8 assessments
Code for a DOK Science Level
~ grade 8 assessments
Level 3. If this did not require an explanation, it would be Level 1. But herestudents must explain the complex connection between electrical consumption andproduction of heat in order receive full credit. “In most instances, requiring students to explain their thinking is at Level 3.”
When operating, ordinary incandescent light bulbs produce a lot of heat
in addition to light. Fluorescent light bulbs produce much less heat when
operating. If you wanted to conserve electricity, which type of bulb
should you use? Explain your answer.
Code for a DOK Science Level
~ grade 4 assessments
Look at the two magnets above. If you push the two magnets toward
each other as shown, the magnet will.
A) break into many pieces.
B) turn in opposite directions.
C) be pushed away from each other.
D) be pulled toward each other
Code for a DOK Science Level
~ grade 4 assessments
Level 2. This item requires that students interpret a simple diagram and apply a property of magnets – that opposite poles attract.
Look at the two magnets above. If you push the two magnets toward
each other as shown, the magnet will.
A) break into many pieces.
B) turn in opposite directions.
C) be pushed away from each other.
D) be pulled toward each other
Code for a DOK Science Level
~ grade 8 assessments
Make a graph of your heart rate as you walk in place for five minutes.
Code for a DOK Science Level
~ grade 8 assessments
Level 2. This item has several steps and requires some decision making. Studentsmust decide appropriate intervals for measuring pulse and procedures for graphing data. “Level 2 activities include making observations and collecting data; classifying, organizing, and comparing data; and organizing and displaying data in tables, graphs, and charts.”
Make a graph of your heart rate as you walk in place for five minutes.
ACT Aspire Science Exemplar
ACT Aspire Science Exemplar
AR Act Aspire - Live Binder
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?present=true&id=1770184
AR Act Aspire - Live Binder
Links of InterestPearson - ACT Aspire http://actaspire.pearson.com/
ACT Aspire http://discoveractaspire.org/
ACT Aspire LiveBinder http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?present=true&id=1770184
Technical Bulletin #1 http://www.discoveractaspire.org/act-aspire-technical-bulletin-1/
Exemplar Test Questions http://www.discoveractaspire.org/assessments/test-items/
Online Sample Test http://tn.actaspire.org/client/index.htmlLogon: science2 (grade level)Password: actaspire
Open Enrollment Webinars http://www.act.org/learning-at-act/training/aspire.html
Subscribe to listserv http://www.act.org/research/subscribe.html - info, updates, policy