1

Promoting ExcellencePromoting ExcellencePreparing ChildrenPreparing Children

Texas Regional Texas Regional

Collaboratives for Collaboratives for Excellence in Excellence in

Science TeachingScience Teaching

Annual MeetingAnnual Meeting

July, 2001July, 2001

Chris Castillo-ComerChris Castillo-ComerDirector of ScienceDirector of Science

2

Words to live Words to live by...by...

It is always darkest before…It is always darkest before…

A penny saved is…A penny saved is…

Daylight savings time.

Not much!

Where there is smoke there is…Where there is smoke there is…

If at first you don’t succeed...If at first you don’t succeed...

Pollution!

Get new batteries!

Better late than…Better late than…

No news is...No news is...

Pregnant?

Impossible!

3

What’s New?What’s New?•TAKS and Skills (2002: Science grade TAKS and Skills (2002: Science grade 5 (English and Spanish), grade 10, and 5 (English and Spanish), grade 10, and exit level grade 11--Accountability exit level grade 11--Accountability System in 2004System in 2004

Certification changes by SBEC: master teacher Certification changes by SBEC: master teacher certification in technology and mathematics certification in technology and mathematics

Legislation for Math Initiative, Retirement Legislation for Math Initiative, Retirement changes, 1.24 Billion dollar health insurance changes, 1.24 Billion dollar health insurance package, Repeal of retirement limitations, package, Repeal of retirement limitations, Uniform school start dateUniform school start date

Graduation requirements: 3 years of science Graduation requirements: 3 years of science for every Texas student (freshman class 2005) for every Texas student (freshman class 2005)

4

Why test science?Why test science?– In a society that increasingly involves science In a society that increasingly involves science

and an understanding of scientific concepts and and an understanding of scientific concepts and processes, all citizens must have a processes, all citizens must have a common corecommon core of learning in science to enrich their lives and of learning in science to enrich their lives and make informed decisions that will affect their make informed decisions that will affect their lives and our world.lives and our world.

– Science enhances:Science enhances:reading, mathematics, reading, mathematics,

language development, language development, problem solving and problem solving and critical thinking skillscritical thinking skills

5

CurriculumCurriculum

TextbooksTextbooks

AssessmentAssessment

A Coherent System A Coherent System of Teaching and Learningof Teaching and Learning

6

Bracketed Items:Bracketed Items:

11th grade exit level science assessment11th grade exit level science assessment:: Mechanical AdvantageMechanical Advantage Universal solventUniversal solvent

Elementary science test given at grade five:Elementary science test given at grade five:Computers, critique, promotional materials, Computers, critique, promotional materials, cameras, sound recorders, hot platescameras, sound recorders, hot plates

10th grade science assessment:10th grade science assessment:Critique, promotional materialsCritique, promotional materials

7

Science can be proud of:Science can be proud of:

Higher Scores on Science TAAS Higher Scores on Science TAAS Greater Physics EnrollmentGreater Physics Enrollment Increased AP Course completion Increased AP Course completion Leadership in Science Safety Leadership in Science Safety Increased Funding for Increased Funding for Professional Development in Professional Development in ScienceScience

Forming NEW partnershipsForming NEW partnerships

8

What you need to know What you need to know about TAKSabout TAKSLearn about and teach the TEKSLearn about and teach the TEKSunderstand unifying principles: understand unifying principles: systems, models, etc.systems, models, etc.integrate life, earth, and physical integrate life, earth, and physical science conceptsscience conceptsdo vertical articulation maps to ensure do vertical articulation maps to ensure that students are provided multiple that students are provided multiple opportunities to learn science concepts opportunities to learn science concepts in different contextsin different contexts

9

Not all TEKS are tested Not all TEKS are tested but all the TEKS should be taught! but all the TEKS should be taught!

Not tested: Not tested: 5.12(d) “identify gravity as the force 5.12(d) “identify gravity as the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and the moon in orbit around the earth”the moon in orbit around the earth”

Tested: Tested: 5.12(a) “interpret how land forms are the5.12(a) “interpret how land forms are the result of a combination of constructive and result of a combination of constructive and

destructive forces such as deposition of sediment…..”destructive forces such as deposition of sediment…..”

10

What will TAKS look like?What will TAKS look like?– Items are multiple choice/ griddable /clustersItems are multiple choice/ griddable /clusters– Items incorporate reading and math skillsItems incorporate reading and math skills– Items are more challenging, tied to concepts and skillsItems are more challenging, tied to concepts and skills– not a performance test but performance-linkednot a performance test but performance-linked

11

What Are What Are [Bracketed][Bracketed]

Items?Items?

““The student expectation has been presented in its The student expectation has been presented in its entirety for two reasons: to clarify the link to the curriculum entirety for two reasons: to clarify the link to the curriculum

and to provide background information for testand to provide background information for test

items. However,items. However, bracketed text will not bracketed text will not

be specifically tested on TAKSbe specifically tested on TAKS.”.”

12

What do students need to learn?What do students need to learn?

– Students must do science! Students must do science! – Students must learn the TEKSStudents must learn the TEKS

13

Elementary Elementary ScienceScienceTAKSTAKS

Textbooks and instructional materials Textbooks and instructional materials are only resources…the TEKS are the are only resources…the TEKS are the curriculum frameworkcurriculum framework

Includes K-5 strand content: science Includes K-5 strand content: science will need to be taught at each will need to be taught at each elementary grade to ensure student elementary grade to ensure student successsuccess

Time requirements: “teachers must Time requirements: “teachers must have enough time to teach the science have enough time to teach the science TEKS and students must have enough TEKS and students must have enough time to learn the science TEKS”time to learn the science TEKS”

14

Grade 5 ScienceGrade 5 ScienceTAKSTAKS

TAAS OBJECTIVES:TAAS OBJECTIVES: knowledge studentknowledge student & skills expectations & skills expectations

1. Nature of science1. Nature of science 4 4 1010 2. Life science2. Life science 7 7 1515 3. Physical science3. Physical science 5 5 12 12 4. Earth science4. Earth science 8 8 17 17

Total Total 2424 5454 Bracketed items:Bracketed items: Computers, critique, promotional materials, cameras, sound Computers, critique, promotional materials, cameras, sound

recorders, hot platesrecorders, hot plates ““Such as” are only examples but “including” means that these Such as” are only examples but “including” means that these

topics must be taughttopics must be taught

15

TAKSTAKS Elementary Science Test Elementary Science Test Given Given

at Grade Fiveat Grade Five

Not just a 5th grade science test: Not just a 5th grade science test: includes TEKS from the 2nd, 3rd, includes TEKS from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades4th, and 5th grades

Builds the foundation for Biology, Builds the foundation for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics concepts Chemistry, and Physics concepts tested in TAKS 10th and the 11th tested in TAKS 10th and the 11th grade exit level TAKS in high schoolgrade exit level TAKS in high school

16

About Middle School Science...About Middle School Science... After spring 2002, there will not be an 8th grade science After spring 2002, there will not be an 8th grade science

assessment.assessment. This does not mean that science at grades 6-8 is no longer This does not mean that science at grades 6-8 is no longer

important! In fact, it will be even more important to important! In fact, it will be even more important to strengthen the the 6-8 program to ensure success at grade strengthen the the 6-8 program to ensure success at grade 10 and exit level grade 11 science assessments.10 and exit level grade 11 science assessments.

Middle school teachers must be aware of the middle school Middle school teachers must be aware of the middle school science concepts and their connections to the TEKS tested at science concepts and their connections to the TEKS tested at grade 10 and exit level grade 11 assessments. grade 10 and exit level grade 11 assessments.

The strength of the 6-8 science program has a direct effect The strength of the 6-8 science program has a direct effect on the student course selections.on the student course selections.

17

About the Grade 10 and Exit Level Grade About the Grade 10 and Exit Level Grade 11 Science Assessments...11 Science Assessments...

The grade 10 and grade 11 exit level science The grade 10 and grade 11 exit level science assessments are based on the TEKS for assessments are based on the TEKS for integrated physics and chemistry (IPC) and integrated physics and chemistry (IPC) and biology.biology.

The grade 10 and exit level grade 11 science The grade 10 and exit level grade 11 science assessments are not identical.assessments are not identical.

The differences are slight and based on further The differences are slight and based on further science instruction and the ability for more science instruction and the ability for more mature critical thinking.mature critical thinking.

18

Grade 10 ScienceGrade 10 ScienceTAKSTAKS

TAAS OBJECTIVES:TAAS OBJECTIVES: KS's KS's SE’sSE’s Science processes: Science processes: 1. The nature of science1. The nature of science 3 3 7 7 Science concepts:Science concepts: 2. Biological concepts 2. Biological concepts 4 4 6 6 3. Biology--ecological concepts3. Biology--ecological concepts 44 6 6 4. IPC--chemistry concepts4. IPC--chemistry concepts 33 6 6 5. IPC—physics concepts5. IPC—physics concepts 33 6 6

• TotalTotal 17 17 31 31

4 student expectations are in 10th grade only:4 student expectations are in 10th grade only: Bio 6(D); IPC 7(E); IPC 5(A); and IPC 6(F)Bio 6(D); IPC 7(E); IPC 5(A); and IPC 6(F) Bracketed items: critique, promotional materialsBracketed items: critique, promotional materials

19

Science TAKS at Grade 10 and Exit Science TAKS at Grade 10 and Exit Level Grade 11 Will Include:Level Grade 11 Will Include:

CalculatorCalculator: use of a four-function calculator or a : use of a four-function calculator or a calculator that is used with the mathematics portion of calculator that is used with the mathematics portion of TAKS TAKS

Metric rulerMetric ruler: a metric ruler will be provided for metric : a metric ruler will be provided for metric measurementmeasurement

Periodic table:Periodic table: students will be provided a periodic students will be provided a periodic tabletable

Formula chartFormula chart: students will be provided a chart that : students will be provided a chart that includes necessary formulas for TAKSincludes necessary formulas for TAKS

20

Grade 11 ScienceGrade 11 ScienceTAKSTAKS

TAAS OBJECTIVES:TAAS OBJECTIVES: KS KS SE SE Science Processes:Science Processes: 1. The Nature of Science1. The Nature of Science 3 73 7 Science Concepts:Science Concepts: 2. Biology Concepts 2. Biology Concepts 44 7 7 3. Biology--Ecological Concepts3. Biology--Ecological Concepts 55 8 8 4. IPC--Chemistry Concepts4. IPC--Chemistry Concepts 33 7 7 5. IPC—Physics Concepts5. IPC—Physics Concepts 33 7 7

• Total 18Total 18 36 36

The following concepts are in the grade 11 exit level science The following concepts are in the grade 11 exit level science TAKS only: TAKS only: 1 KS1 KS--Bio 9; --Bio 9;

8 se’s8 se’s—Bio 6(B); Bio 7(A); Bio 9(D) IPC 7(D); IPC 9(B); IPC —Bio 6(B); Bio 7(A); Bio 9(D) IPC 7(D); IPC 9(B); IPC 4(D); IPC 5(B); IPC 6(D) 4(D); IPC 5(B); IPC 6(D) no bracketed items in grade 11no bracketed items in grade 11

21

The Burning Question:The Burning Question:What’s the Best Course What’s the Best Course Sequence for Science?Sequence for Science?

Biology is now a required course for all students in Biology is now a required course for all students in Texas.Texas.

Students are required to take the IPC course or the Students are required to take the IPC course or the Chemistry and Physics courses.Chemistry and Physics courses.

For all graduation plans, students are encouraged For all graduation plans, students are encouraged to take the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to take the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics sequence by the State Board of Education.sequence by the State Board of Education.

Students are urged to take four years of science.Students are urged to take four years of science.

Chris Comer

22

The Progress of Education The Progress of Education in Texasin Texas

To make schools more effective and To make schools more effective and efficient, many school reforms have been efficient, many school reforms have been introduced…introduced…

Teachers making decisions about what and Teachers making decisions about what and how to teach have more to consider…For how to teach have more to consider…For schooling to improve teachers must be able to schooling to improve teachers must be able to make sense of the reform ideas, bring them make sense of the reform ideas, bring them together in a meaningful way and construct a together in a meaningful way and construct a coherent practice.coherent practice.

Chris Ferguson, SEDL

23

Science Professional DevelopmentScience Professional Development New!!! Texas Science Center for Professional Development New!!! Texas Science Center for Professional Development

– Bridging to TAKS InstitutesBridging to TAKS Institutes

– Trainer of Trainer Model Trainer of Trainer Model

– Administrator OverviewAdministrator Overview

– Presented in five sites: Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Presented in five sites: Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonioand San Antonio

– Products to prepare for TAKS: 3 new chartsProducts to prepare for TAKS: 3 new charts

CATS Project: Comprehensive Assessment Training in CATS Project: Comprehensive Assessment Training in ScienceScience

Teacher as Leader Model Teacher as Leader Model Administrator Symposia, Parent Nights, Presented in ten sites: Administrator Symposia, Parent Nights, Presented in ten sites: Corpus Christi, Edinburg, El Paso, Houston, Kilgore, Lubbock, Corpus Christi, Edinburg, El Paso, Houston, Kilgore, Lubbock, Richardson, San Angelo, San Antonio, an WacoRichardson, San Angelo, San Antonio, an WacoProducts to prepare for TAKS: Lesson Templates, A Guide to the Products to prepare for TAKS: Lesson Templates, A Guide to the TEKS, Texas Atlas for Science Literacy, and Coherent Assessment TEKS, Texas Atlas for Science Literacy, and Coherent Assessment techniquestechniques

24

Science Professional DevelopmentScience Professional Development Dana Center Science Professional DevelopmentDana Center Science Professional Development

– Science Teacher Toolkit Science Teacher Toolkit – Science Safety TrainingScience Safety Training– Texteams: Trainer of Trainer Mega-Vistas“Constancy and Texteams: Trainer of Trainer Mega-Vistas“Constancy and

Change” presented at three sites: Fort Worth, Houston, and Change” presented at three sites: Fort Worth, Houston, and AustinAustin

– Biology InstitutesBiology Institutes– Products to prepare for TAKS: Facilities Handbook, 2 TEKS Products to prepare for TAKS: Facilities Handbook, 2 TEKS

chartscharts– Leadership Academies: TASELLeadership Academies: TASEL

EXEMPLARY PROJECT: Texas Regional Collaboratives EXEMPLARY PROJECT: Texas Regional Collaboratives

for Excellence in Science Teaching for Excellence in Science Teaching High quality, sustained professional development and High quality, sustained professional development and Technology training in 20 sites around the state;Technology training in 20 sites around the state;Providing Science Leaders throughout the state!Providing Science Leaders throughout the state!

25

Who To Contact:Who To Contact:• CENTER FOR CENTER FOR

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT

Anna McClaneAnna McClane

713-744-6565713-744-6565

texassciencecenter.orgtexassciencecenter.org• CATS PROJECTCATS PROJECT

Joan Drennan-TaylorJoan Drennan-Taylor

210-208-8133210-208-8133

accd.eduaccd.edu• DANA CENTERDANA CENTER

Mary Jane SchottMary Jane Schott

Jim CollinsJim Collins

Vanessa WestbrookVanessa Westbrook

512-471-6191512-471-6191

tenet.edu/teks/sciencetenet.edu/teks/science

TEXAS REGIONAL COLLABORATIVES TEXAS REGIONAL COLLABORATIVES FOR FOR EXCELLENCE IN EXCELLENCE IN

SCIENCE TEACHINGSCIENCE TEACHING

Jim BarifaldiJim Barifaldi

Kamil JbeillyKamil Jbeilly

Joel BlasingameJoel Blasingame

512-471-9279512-471-9279

regcol.edb.utexas.eduregcol.edb.utexas.edu

TEA SCIENCE TEA SCIENCE

Chris Castillo-ComerChris Castillo-Comer

Director of ScienceDirector of Science

Irene Pickhardt Irene Pickhardt Asst.. Director of ScienceAsst.. Director of Science

512-463-9556512-463-9556

ccomer@tea.state.tx.usccomer@tea.state.tx.us