New Tool: Research Brief on "Designing an Assessment System that Measures Three-Dimensional Science Learning"

Posted on February 15, 2015

The Next Generation Science Standards demand new kinds of assessments and new assessment systems. The NRC research consensus report, Developing Assessments for the Next Generation Science Standards, calls for assessments that align with the new, three-dimensional vision of science learning in A Framework for K-12 Science Education. We developed this new STEM Teaching Tool Research Brief to summarize the NRC Assessment report. Assessment tasks are needed that give educators information on student mastery of performance expectations that blend science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. The report calls for starting with improving classroom assessment and for gradual implementation of new system of assessment at the district and state levels. To promote equity in science learning, assessments must be fair and unbiased, connect with and value students' cultural and linguistic resources, and include efforts to monitor and ensure all students have access to adequate resources and opportunities to learn.