E l e m e n t a r y E d i t i o n
M a y 2 0 0 3
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENTElementary science educators are in the middle of the continuing debate surrounding standardized tests. President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act requires all school systems to have an assessment plan for students in grades 3-8 by the 2005-2006 school year. For most states, that will mean a series of standardized tests aligned to each state's curriculum. Some education experts, however, note that alternative assessments have a greater usefulness for evaluating students and that the contentious atmosphere around standardized testing has given rise to a need for such exams. Alternative assessment strategies can provide additional and more
comfortable methods for students to demonstrate what they have learned.
In this issue of Science Class, you will find various news
and journal articles, books, and websites that discuss the problems
with standardized tests and offer resources on alternative assessments.
Read on and see what new methods you can learn to assess your students.
Alternative Assessment in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Service. Click here to read the latest: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-05/news_stories_elementary.htm Alternative Assessment on the Net SciLinks® is a web-based service from NSTA that provides online content chosen for selected keywords. This month's SciLink keyword is: Assessment: http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263562110551033 Alternative Assessment in NSTA Journal Articles The following journal articles provide you with ideas for classroom lessons and activities related to alternative assessment. From this month's Science & Children: http://www.nsta.org/elementaryschool From the Science & Children archives:: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-05/elementary.htm Books on Alternative Assessment Check out these titles from NSTA Recommends: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-05/books_elementary.htm Alternative Assessment in May's Science & Children This month's Teaching Through Trade Books department focuses on
"Weather Watchers." Making actual weather observations
can be a great connection to reading about clouds and weather. Links
to cloud pictures as well as Sometimes teachers can't avoid paper-and-pencil tests. The online version of "Designing Assessment" includes tips for writing better, clearer test questions. http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/science_and_children.php?category_ID=86&news_story_ID=48253. Professional Development The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse provides a good introduction to professional development with an article by Susan Loucks-Horsley. Click here to learn more and to read about the five principles of professional development. http://www.enc.org/professional/learn/ideas/science/document.shtm?input=ACQ-142559-2559_2,00.shtm NSTA Opportunities Write for NSTA's Journals NSTA needs your expertise. To find out how, visit: Science & Children (Grades PreK–5) http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-05/sc.htm Meet Author Mia Posada! The award-winning author of Ladybugs: Red, Fiery, and Bright and Dandelions: Stars in the Grass takes your questions throughout the month of May. Click here to join the discussion: http://www.nsta.org/main/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=48. Next Month's Theme: Safety in the Science ClassroomIf your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to: http://www.nsta.org/newsletters. If you have a text-only browser or are having any difficulties with our links, please visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-05/member_elementary.htm. THE FINE PRINTThis
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