Formative Assessment Probes: Representing Microscopic Life

Journal Article | November 2011

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue discusses the formative assessment probe "Pond Water," which reveals how elementary children will often apply what they know about animal…

Perspectives: Assessing and Addressing Student Science Ideas

Journal Article | February 2008

Our students are not blank slates. They come to school with a wide range of experiences that have shaped their science understandings—reading books, watching TV, and playing video games. From many years of research…

Twenty Ways to Assess Students Using Technology

Journal Article | June 2011

To ensure students are fully engaged in the learning process, educators must explore every available path for assessment. This article provides a list of ideas and programs/websites that can be used in any combination…

Idea Bank: Assessing Basic Knowledge in Biology

Journal Article | February 2008

The Science Beliefs Quiz contains items related to biology, physical science, and Earth/space science. The entire test is available free to teachers on the internet and consists of 47 declarative statements that were…

Formative Assessment Probes: Using the P-E-O Technique

Journal Article | December 2012

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue discusses using predictions, explanations, and observations during the Solids and Holes formative assessment probe.

Editor's Note: Assessment: Learning Under Construction

Journal Article | June 2011

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

Editor’s Corner: Assessment—Asking the Big Questions

Journal Article | December 2010

Assessment is often synonymous with measurement. We use summative assessments to determine if and where a student will go to college, how much funding a state will receive, whether teachers will stay or be fired, and…

Formative Assessment Probes: Teachers as Classroom Researchers

Journal Article | October 2011

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue discusses having teachers conduct their own study regarding students' thoughts on whether something is an animal.

Sounds Like Success: A Framework for Equitable Assessment

Journal Article | February 2008

Teachers have many dilemmas when it comes to assessing a classroom of diverse students. Teachers need to find out what students really know while being fair to all students. They also need to learn how to alter…

The Power of Investigating: Guiding Authentic Assessments (e-book)

eBook | March 2017

New in 2017! Children want to explore, dig, build, play, and wonder. To do this they need to touch, feel, see, observe, listen, manipulate, plan, and create. How does a teacher build and maintain a learning…

The Power of Assessing: Guiding Powerful Practices (e-book)

eBook | June 2018

The Power of Assessing will show you how to use authentic assessments as a dynamic teaching tool. But this book doesn’t just describe ways to evaluate your students’ learning. Through colorful photographs and over 30…

College Science Teachers Guide to Assessment (e-book)

eBook | June 2009

What is assessment? How do you assess your students’ progress? How do they assess themselves and their peers? How do you assess the effectiveness of your own teaching? College Science Teachers…

Methods and Strategies: Alternative Assessments for English Language Learners

Journal Article | January 2007

English Language Learners (ELL) are capable of high levels of conceptual understanding related to science. However, traditional means of assessment do not typically reflect their understanding of science content. We…

Formative Assessment Probes: How Far Did It Go?

Journal Article | December 2010

The formative assessment probe “How Far Did It Go?” in Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science: 45 Force and Motion Assessment Probes (Keeley and Harrington 2010) can be used to reveal whether students recognize…

Formative Assessment Probes: When Equipment Gets in the Way

Journal Article | February 2013

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue discusses how to elicit students' initial ideas about how to light a bulb with a battery and a wire.