Teacher Enhancement in Alternative Methods for Assessing Student Learning in Science

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This two year project, sponsored by the University of Lowell, will provide science teachers, grades 4-12, the expertise to carryout alternative testing techniques to assess student learning in the sciences. The new assessment methods will enable teachers to discover what students know and thus to reshape student learning toward better comprehension of science concepts, more appreciation of the field of science and enhanced skills in scientific inquiry. In the first year of the project 15 teachers will attend a series of workshops devoted to the concepts and practice of appropriate assessment techniques. In the second year of the project the teachers will implement these techniques in the classroom. They will also work with selected peer teachers in workshops managed by project staff to disseminate the techniques to a wider group of teachers. At the conclusion of the project there will be 45 teachers using high quality alternative assessments in their own classrooms and assisting peers to do the same. The NSF funds are being matched by the University and participating schools by an amount equivalent to 80% of the NSF grant.