Rubrics for Assessing Student Achievement in Science Grades K-12

Hays Blaine Lantz, Jr. is currently Director of Science for grades PreK-12 for the Baltimore County Public Schools in Maryland. Prior to this assignment, he served as Supervisor of Science K-12 for the Prince George's County Public Schools; as Supervisor of the Howard B. Owens Science Center in Prince George's County; as a Federal Programs Director, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Title IV-C Project Director, and as a high school administrator and classroom science teacher. Dr. Lantz has either taught or supervised all grades K-16, and has been extensively involved in professional and program development in science education for more than three decades. He has successfully directed several National Science Foundation projects, most recently the Partnerships for Math and Science Achievement (PMSA). In addition, Dr. Lantz also stays active as a science education consultant for several publishers and numerous school districts. His current research interests in science education include performance-based teaching and assessment, advance organizers, and the effects of prior knowledge on learning. Dr. Lantz received his formal education at James Madison University and at the University of Virginia. He earned his doctorate in Science Education from the University of Virginia in 1981, with supporting fields in Research & Evaluation and Supervision & Administration. When not actively engaged in his work, Dr. Lantz enjoys skiing, golfing, fly fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Foreword - Jay McTighe Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Assessment in Science Education A Call for Change Using National and State Standards to Implement Change Assessment Techniques Performance Tasks Assessing Student Achievement on Performance Tasks Implementing Performance Tasks in the Science Classroom 2. Designing and Using Performance List Rubrics to Assess Student Work Criteria for Assessment Steps for Designing Assessment/Evaluation Tools 3. Designing and Using Scoring Rubrics to Assess Student Work Scoring Rubrics Characteristics of Holistic Rubrics Characteristics of Analytic Rubrics 4. Assessment Tools for Science Grades K-1 5. Assessment Tools for Science Grades 2-3 6. Assessment Tools for Science Grades 4-6 7. Assessment Tools for Science Grades 7-12 Web Sites for Rubrics in Science References Index

I recommend Rubrics for Assessing Student Achievement in Science Grades K-12 to any school district that is moving toward a standards-based curriculum. It will serve as a valuable tool for assessing student learning. -- Grace Cisek, Director of Mathematics and Science Curriculum Provides practical and proven tools for assessing and improving learning and performing in science. You and your students will unquestionably benefit from their use. -- From the Foreword by Jay McTighe "Provides the long-awaited solution for teachers looking for ways to successfully assess performance tasks, but who lack the time or expertise to do it all themselves. All of the rubrics presented in this book are open in their design so teachers can adapt them for many different situations." -- NSTA Recommends, March 2005