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Full text of this paper is not available in the ETD Center. Copies may be available for inter-library loan from University of Cincinnati or may be available for purchase from Proquest/UMI

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ASSESSMENT PRACTICES OF THIRD AND FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHERS: A COMPARISON TO THE STYLE/FORMAT, PROCESS, AND CONTENT OF OHIO'S PROFICIENCY TESTS

JANSON, DAVID C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022677315

Abstract Details

2002, EdD, University of Cincinnati, Education : Curriculum and Instruction.
This descriptive study is addressed to policy-makers, textbook publishers, teachers, principals, and curriculum directors. It compares the assessment practices of ten elementary teachers over a period of 11 weeks with Ohio's fourth and sixth grade science Proficiency Tests. Results show that the teachers' assessment practices were not aligned with Ohio's Proficiency Test. The tests used in the participants' classroom contained a disproportionate number of items characterized as low-level in terms of their cognitive function. Classroom test items generally fell into three categories - true/false, completion, and matching. The remaining items were predominantly low-level multiple-choice items requiring simple recall of information. The teachers in this study showed a heavy reliance on the packaged assessments that accompanied their adopted textbook series with little use of teacher-designed instruments. This differs from the findings of previous researchers who reported that most teacher assessments were done with teacher-made tests. The lack of alignment between classroom tests and Ohio's Proficiency Test is a concern because previous researchers and the teachers in this study believe that aligning classroom tests with high-stakes assessment improves student performance. Other research shows teachers teach what they test suggesting that the curriculum would be better aligned with State expectations if classroom tests were more in line with the proficiency tests. This study found that textbooks and their assessment packages are not aligned to most state standards and that teachers need help developing better assessments. The results of this study suggest directions school administrators might take to facilitate inservice training for current teachers and could be helpful to textbook publishers as well as educators serving on adoption committees. Since high-stakes testing of students in the nation's public schools and school accountability seem destined to remain a part of the American educational system, educators at all levels - teachers and administrators at the local level, consultants and administrators at the state level, and policymakers at the state and national levels - may want to consider the implications of these findings.
Dr. Glenn Markle (Advisor)
1 p.
assessment practices of teachers; state mandated testing; Ohio's Proficiency Test

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • JANSON, D. C. (2002). ASSESSMENT PRACTICES OF THIRD AND FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHERS: A COMPARISON TO THE STYLE/FORMAT, PROCESS, AND CONTENT OF OHIO'S PROFICIENCY TESTS [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022677315

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • JANSON, DAVID. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES OF THIRD AND FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHERS: A COMPARISON TO THE STYLE/FORMAT, PROCESS, AND CONTENT OF OHIO'S PROFICIENCY TESTS. 2002. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022677315.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • JANSON, DAVID. "ASSESSMENT PRACTICES OF THIRD AND FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHERS: A COMPARISON TO THE STYLE/FORMAT, PROCESS, AND CONTENT OF OHIO'S PROFICIENCY TESTS." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022677315

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1022677315
© 2002, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.