2011 Science ISAT2011 Science ISATGrades 4Grades 4

and 7and 7

Science ISATScience ISAT

Aligned to the Illinois Aligned to the Illinois Assessment Assessment FrameworkFramework

All multiple-choice All multiple-choice itemsitems

2, 45 minute sessions2, 45 minute sessions Up to 10 extra min.Up to 10 extra min. 82 items82 items

Science ISATScience ISAT

All science standards assessed—approx. All science standards assessed—approx. 10% of test devoted to each standard:10% of test devoted to each standard:

11A Science Inquiry, 11B Technological 11A Science Inquiry, 11B Technological Design, 12A Life Science, 12B Design, 12A Life Science, 12B Environmental Science, 12C Chemistry, Environmental Science, 12C Chemistry, 12D Force and Motion, 12E Earth 12D Force and Motion, 12E Earth Science, 12F Astronomy, 13A Safety, Science, 12F Astronomy, 13A Safety, Ethics, 13B History of Science, Ethics, 13B History of Science, Technology in ScienceTechnology in Science

Test Item DevelopmentTest Item Development

Illinois teachers write Illinois teachers write and review test itemsand review test items

Items written in March Items written in March 10, reviewed in June 10, reviewed in June 10, pilot-tested in 10, pilot-tested in March 2011March 2011

Item data analyzedItem data analyzed Some selected for Some selected for

2012 ISAT2012 ISAT

Item WritingItem Writing Align to the Assessment FrameworkAlign to the Assessment Framework One correct answerOne correct answer Avoid cultural biasAvoid cultural bias Avoid stereotypesAvoid stereotypes Language appropriate for targeted gradeLanguage appropriate for targeted grade Responses all about the same length or two Responses all about the same length or two

long, two shortlong, two short Graphics only if neededGraphics only if needed Use cognitive levels of thinkingUse cognitive levels of thinking No “All of the above” or “None of the above”No “All of the above” or “None of the above”

Items selected for ISATItems selected for ISAT

Align to the Framework objectivesAlign to the Framework objectives Have no racial or gender biasHave no racial or gender bias Have one correct answerHave one correct answer Some easy, some hard, some in the Some easy, some hard, some in the

middle (p-value 30% to 85%)middle (p-value 30% to 85%) Cognitive level variesCognitive level varies

ISAT and IAFISAT and IAF

All test items on the 2011 ISAT align to the All test items on the 2011 ISAT align to the FrameworkFramework 30-Norm referenced Standard 10 items30-Norm referenced Standard 10 items

• Same items taken in other states for national Same items taken in other states for national comparisoncomparison

52-Criterion referenced items52-Criterion referenced items• Illinois-developed and only used in IllinoisIllinois-developed and only used in Illinois• Some are pilot items, which do not count towards Some are pilot items, which do not count towards

students’ scores. students’ scores. Both contribute to the ISAT scoreBoth contribute to the ISAT score

Linguistically Modified (LM) ISAT in Math and Science for Linguistically Modified (LM) ISAT in Math and Science for LEP Students LEP Students

LM ISAT form will be available for 2011 as an LM ISAT form will be available for 2011 as an ISAT accommodationISAT accommodation Only for LEP students who qualifyOnly for LEP students who qualify

Text modified for LEP studentsText modified for LEP students Simplified English text Simplified English text Extended and Short Response math items presented Extended and Short Response math items presented

in both Spanish and Englishin both Spanish and English How was this form developed? Regular ed and ELL How was this form developed? Regular ed and ELL

specialists reviewed and modified the math and specialists reviewed and modified the math and science ISAT items to create this LM ISAT form science ISAT items to create this LM ISAT form

IMPORTANTIMPORTANT

LEP students taking the LM form will LEP students taking the LM form will receive ISAT scores for math and science receive ISAT scores for math and science but but notnot SAT 10 scoresSAT 10 scores Reason: If SAT 10 items are altered, a norm-Reason: If SAT 10 items are altered, a norm-

referenced score cannot be givenreferenced score cannot be given LEP students using the LM form will still LEP students using the LM form will still

receive SAT 10 scores for reading since the receive SAT 10 scores for reading since the reading test is the same in both the LM ISAT reading test is the same in both the LM ISAT and ISAT.and ISAT.

Science and NCLBScience and NCLB

All states were mandated to assess All states were mandated to assess science by 2008science by 2008

IL already had science assessments at IL already had science assessments at grades 4, 7 and 11grades 4, 7 and 11

Science is Science is notnot used for AYPused for AYP Science will Science will notnot be tested in every grade be tested in every grade

between 3 and 8 and will between 3 and 8 and will notnot be counted be counted towards AYP unless NCLB changes to towards AYP unless NCLB changes to include scienceinclude science

2010 Reports2010 Reports

Test Preparation for StudentsTest Preparation for Students

Illinois Learning Standards used Illinois Learning Standards used throughout the yearthroughout the year

Integrate test-taking skills into regular Integrate test-taking skills into regular classroom instructionclassroom instruction

Students should be familiar with testing Students should be familiar with testing formats and taking timed testsformats and taking timed tests

Testing Policies and ProhibitionsTesting Policies and Prohibitions

Must be administered uniformly across the stateMust be administered uniformly across the state Read and use Test Administration ManualRead and use Test Administration Manual Read the Professional Testing Practices for Read the Professional Testing Practices for

EducatorsEducators Supervise students during testingSupervise students during testing Do not help students with test itemsDo not help students with test items Do not read any part of the science test to Do not read any part of the science test to

students unless it is in their IEP. If it’s in the IEPstudents unless it is in their IEP. If it’s in the IEP—test separately.—test separately.

Grade 4, New Sample ItemsGrade 4, New Sample Items

Grade 7, New Sample ItemsGrade 7, New Sample Items

2011 Sample Books and Interactive 2011 Sample Books and Interactive ISAT itemsISAT items

The 2011 Interactive ISAT items will be The 2011 Interactive ISAT items will be posted online Fall, 2010 at posted online Fall, 2010 at www.isbe.net/assessment/htmls/sample_books.htm

The 2011 Sample Books will be posted in The 2011 Sample Books will be posted in Fall, 2010. No hard copies will be mailed Fall, 2010. No hard copies will be mailed to schools this year.to schools this year.

Improving Science ScoresImproving Science Scores Teach science—use inquiry, use the ILS and fit the Teach science—use inquiry, use the ILS and fit the

Framework objectives into the curriculumFramework objectives into the curriculum

Spread the Framework objectives across grades—not Spread the Framework objectives across grades—not just for 4 and 7just for 4 and 7

Use Item Analysis Summary and School Performance Use Item Analysis Summary and School Performance Profile to find strengths and weaknessesProfile to find strengths and weaknesses

Questions?Questions?ContactContact

Pam StankoPam StankoISBE Science AssessmentISBE Science Assessment

217/782-4823217/782-4823pstanko@isbe.netpstanko@isbe.net