A fourth grade level of competency in science requires an understanding of scientific processes and inquiry, and application of knowledge, skills, and concepts to problem-solving situations. Test items assess the learning outcomes at one of three levels of science processes, as described below.

Acquiring Scientific Knowledge

Items in this category test students’ proficiency at recalling, observing, collecting, and recording data and information from a variety of sources and representations and performing operations and making measurements to obtain data. This includes the ability to take measurements from instruments; read graphs and tables; and recall fundamental facts, concepts, or relationships.

Processing Scientific Knowledge

Items in this category test students’ proficiency at organizing, interpreting, manipulating, verifying, summarizing, and reformulating observations and data. This includes the ability to interpret data or information from text, graphs, tables, or drawings; recognize relationships, structure, and function among objects or organisms; use simple identification keys or classification systems; and recognize procedures appropriate to a given investigation.

Extending Scientific Knowledge

Items in this category test students’ proficiency at evaluating, applying, formulating, transforming, and communicating ideas and hypotheses in various contexts. This includes the ability to propose solutions or conclusions based on data from graphs, tables or drawings; determine and/or explain the effectiveness of a procedure; and use spatial, inductive, or deductive reasoning in problem solving.

Summit County ESC

Phone: 330-945-5600, Fax: 330-945-6222