MONITORING STANDARDS IN EDUCATION

Random Sample Assessment Program

MSE Assessment History

Reporting

School Assessment Materials

Forthcoming Assessments

Order Forms

Making Consistent Judgements

Tracking Student Performance

• General Information
• The Investigating Scientifically Strand
• Task Stimulus Materials (Resource Kits)
• Assessment Materials
• Time Allocation
• Costs
• Ordering Assessment Materials

General Information

Four tests are available at each of years 3, 7 and 10:

• Natural and Processed Materials
• Earth and Beyond
• Energy and Change
• Life and Living

Each test contains a practical experiment where students work cooperatively in groups. The experiment is based on the concepts of the strand in which it is embedded, and the questions relating to the experiment provide information for measuring student understandings in the Investigating Scientifically strand.

Before conducting assessments, teachers should leave themselves enough time to read the Teachers Guides to become familiar with the standardized administration procedures and assessment requirements.

The Investigating Scientifically Strand

Although there are 4 tests, student performance information can be obtained on 5 strands.

To obtain information on performance in the Investigating Scientifically strand, the results from two tests are required. This is because the number of questions on any one test that are associated with understandings and skills in the Investigating Scientifically strand is not sufficient for a reliable measure of performance in this strand.

For example, students may complete the Natural and Processed Materials assessment and the Earth and Beyond assessment. Student performance information can then be obtained for 3 strands: Natural and Processed Materials, Earth and Beyond and Investigating Scientifically.

It is important that the instructions in the Investigating Scientifically Teachers Guide are adhered to, for correct calculation of student performance for this strand.

Task Stimulus Materials (Resource Kits)

For most assessments, schools are provided with one Resource Kit for the Investigating Scientifically activity. This kit contains 10 sets. As students work in groups of 3 for the activity, this amount is sufficient for one class of 30 students. Schools should keep the kits for use with other classes and for future assessments. For some assessments, schools provide materials.

For other assessments, teachers and/or laboratory assistants prepare materials that come with the assessment package. Instructions on how to prepare materials are in the teachers guide.

Resource Kits, as well as the Teacher's Guides, belong to schools. Teachers and administrators should ensure that they are kept in a safe place for future assessments.

Assessment Materials

Life and Living
Materials required:

• Life and Living Teachers Guide (years 3, 7 and 10) - one per school
• Resource kits - one set of 10 per school
  • Year 3: ten "Can you see me?" kits (contains sets of 12 cardboard animals and background sheets)
  • Year 7 and 10: ten "Zones of Vision" diagrams
• Student answer booklets
  • Years 3, 7 and 10: student booklets (one per student)

Natural and Processed Materials
Materials required:

• Natural and Processed Materials Teachers Guide (years 3, 7 and 10) - one per school
• Resource kits
  • Year 3: school to supply fabric samples (see teachers guide) for "Stretched to the Limit" activity
  • Year 7 and 10: one set of ten thread holders supplied by MSE. School to supply fabric samples and thread samples (see teachers guide) for "Stretched to the Limit" activity
• Student answer booklets
  • Years 3 and 7: student booklets (one per student)
  • Year 10: one set of blackline master sheets for photocopying

Earth and Beyond
Materials required:

• Earth and Beyond Teachers Guide (years 3, 7 and 10) - one per school
• Resource kits - one set of 10 per school
  • Year 3: ten "Digging for gold" kits (contains sets of 2 photograph sheets and 2 diagram sheets)
  • Year 7: ten "Digging for gold" kits (contains sets of 2 photograph sheets, 4 diagram sheets and one A4 grid sheet)
  • Year 10: ten "Digging for gold" kits (contains sets of 2 photograph sheets, 6 diagram sheets and two A4 grid sheets)
• Student answer booklets
  • Years 3 and 7: student booklets (one per student)
  • Year 10: one set of blackline master sheets for photocopying

Energy and Change
Materials required:

• Energy and Change Teachers Guide (years 3, 7 and 10) - one per school
• Resource kits - one set of 10 per school
  • Years 3 and 7: Ten "How strong is the Wind?" kits (contains sets of balloon holder and boat sheets and 3-spot baseboards)
  • Year 10: Ten "How strong is the Wind?" kits (contains sets of balloon holder and boat sheets and calibrated baseboards)
• Student answer booklets
  • Years 3 and 7: student booklets (one per student)
  • Year 10: one set of blackline master sheets for photocopying
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Time Allocation

• Year 3: 45 minutes (for each assessment)
• Year 7: 90 minutes (for each assessment)
• Year 10: 90 minutes (for each assessment)

• Teachers Guides and resource kits: $25.00ea
• Extra Resource kits: $5.00 per set
• Year 3 and 7 student booklets: $0.60 ea (Year 10 Blackline masters free of charge)

Ordering Assessment Materials

To order Assessment Materials click Ordering Assessment Materials

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