MAP
Missouri Assessment
Program
Southwest Region

MAP Results
Some school districts may be wondering why they haven’t received their Science MAP scores and reports from last spring’s testing.  With the change in grade level administration, and to be consistent with Math and Communication Arts, Science has now moved to a four achievement level system (Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced).  This required a revision of the cut scores for each level as well as new achievement level descriptors.  The committee’s work was recently approved by the State School Board and the achievement level descriptions were posted to the DESE website during the third week of August.  Some reports are now available, but the Process Standard and IBD reports will not be available until mid-October.

The new science achievement level descriptions may be viewed by visiting either of the following DESE websites: 

MAP Short Descriptors (paragraph form):
http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/map/documents/sc_all_short_DESEapproved.pdf

MAP Long Descriptors (bulleted list): http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/map/documents/sc_long_descriptors_new.pdf

If you haven’t read the descriptors before, they do contain valuable information on what content and process skills students should exhibit at each achievement level.  This can help the classroom teacher to establish goals with students as they strive to reach a higher achievement level. 

End of Course Update
Released items from last spring’s Biology End of Course exam have been posted to the DESE website.  Session I contains selected response (SR), or multiple choice, items while Session II is the performance event.  Biology teachers should view these questions to become familiar with the types of questions that will be included on the EOC.  They would also be good practice for your students.  A scoring guide is posted for both sessions.  To view these items, visit the following website:  http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/eoc/

Standard (achievement level) setting for the Biology EOC will be done in early November.  Additional items for the Biology EOC will be written in January as will items for the new Chemistry and Physical Science tests.  The two new tests will then go through the same stages of test development that were followed for the Biology EOC before they will be ready for implementation.  The Biology EOC becomes operational this year and will be required for the first time.  Remember that ALL students will eventually be required to take the Biology EOC and one additional science end-of-course exam before graduation.  One additional science test will be developed after DESE personnel have had the opportunity to analyze the Core Data reports and determine what course/content has sufficient numbers of students enrolled to make it financially feasible to develop an assessment.  (top of page)

Formative Assessment Workshop for Elementary Teachers
STOM is sponsoring a Formative Assessment professional development opportunity in four locations around the state this fall.  The workshop is free to the first 25 STOM members who register.  Non-STOM members may register at a cost of $50.00.  For our region, the workshop will be on Saturday, November 1^st, from 10 AM – 2 PM.  Lunch and a copy of Volume 3 of Dr. Page Keeley’s Uncovering Student Ideas in Science probes will be provided courtesy of STOM.  Look for a location to be announced soon. 

Building a Presence (BaP)
Is your school building a part of Missouri’s Building a Presence (BaP) network?  If you are a Point of Contact for your building or a Key Leader for this area, please make sure that your contact information is up-to-date on the NSTA website.  If your building is not a part of the network, please consider becoming a Point of Contact.  Building a Presence is an electronic networking system designed to keep teachers (and others with an interest in science education) current with the latest information on the national and state levels.  Our goal is to have at least one Point of Contact in each school building in the state.  You may apply to be a Point of Contact on the NSTA website.

Upcoming Statewide Professional Development
The dates for Interface A (February 19-21, 2009) and B (February 22-24) should be marked on your calendars.  Interface always offers quality sessions from your fellow classroom teachers, educators from the Conservation Department, and others.  (top of page)

Online Resources From Other States
Many states have very extensive curriculum support materials available online.  Some of the sites you might find particularly helpful are listed below.
Georgia – www.georgiastandards.org/science.aspx
Kentucky – www.kde.state.ky.us/KDE
Louisiana – www.louisianschools.net
Utah – www.schools.utah.gov/curr
Michigan – www.michigan.gov/mde

If you are a member of STOM, you can find more information about what is offered on each of these sites by reading my article on page 36 of the September 2008 issue.

My Science Box (www.mysciencebox.org) offers “hands-on science curriculum for the adventurous teacher.” It includes everything you’d need to teach a four to six-week middle school science unit.  You’ll find standards-based lesson plans, student activities, teacher resources, assessments, field trip plans—and even a few activities to leave for a substitute if you are out sick. Units include ecology, watersheds, geology and tectonics.  Best of all, it’s all free.  (top of page)