Formal science assessments are tests that are used to collect data on groups of students and provide information on where each student is in terms of averages. The science portion of standardized tests is an example of a formal assessment. Each state has its own department of education and its own standardized tests to assess each student’s ability to meet standards in science. For example, California’s Standardized Testing and Reporting assessment only includes a science portion in fifth grade during the elementary years, while the Illinois Standards Achievement Test administers the science portion in fourth grade.
Performance assessments in science ask elementary students to perform a procedure and are assessed based on progress and completion. Common performance science assessments are simple experiments such as observing living organisms, creating a hypothesis, recording information and drawing conclusions. There is little to no variation in types of performance assessments across the U.S., however some states, such as New York, require students to complete performance assessments as part of state standardized testing.
Informal science assessments can be grouped into two categories: unstructured and structured. Unstructured science assessments include homework, observing students performing and discussing science tasks and topics, keeping logs and journals and playing games designed to teach science concepts and terms. Structured assessments include checklists, which specify behaviors as students progress through curriculum, and cloze tests, which asks students to fill in key terms to assess comprehension of concepts. These types of assessments are used across the U.S., but vary based on state standards and teacher’s preference. For example, a teacher in California may choose to observe students discussing concepts while a teacher in Florida may choose to give more homework and cloze tests in class.
Portfolios are useful in keeping track of student performance and progression through scientific tasks, topics and concepts. Either the student or teacher may keep the portfolio. The portfolio allows student performance to be assessed after a specific period of time, such as one semester or full school year. Presentations, reports, observations and experiments are kept in one place for review. There are no states that require the use of portfolio assessments in elementary science. The use of a portfolio is an optional tool teachers may use for both assessment and organizational purposes.