PD/Collaboration Planning Day - October 4, 2013 (Friday)

Today was teacher work day set aside for Collaboration/Planning with Iao School, our feeder school.  However, Iao School cancelled out last minute and we ended up spending first half of the morning trying to see look at what we would like the freshmen to come to our classes with.  We decided on math skill and scientific inquiry skill.  We provided Iao school with possible worksheets and our pre/post scientific method test.

From 10 am to 2:30pm we worked on our departmental SLO (Student Learner Outcome).  Below is our SLO #1.  Now onto collecting data.

Learning Goal: Students will be able to apply the concepts of the scientific method in hypothesizing, analyzing data and identifying relationships between variables to draw valid conclusions by the end of the semester. Big idea: Scientific theories are supported by large bodies of evidence derived through the process of scientific inquiry (Problem, Hypothesis, Experiment, Conclusion). Standards/Benchmarks: Standard 1: Students can discover, invent, and investigate using the skills necessary to engage in the scientific process. (includes benchmarks 1.1-1.9) Rationale: Because science is the study of the relationships between the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation, students should be able to make connections about relationships in the world around them.  To encourage higher order thinking skills, students have to hypothesize, gather, analyze, and evaluate information to draw valid conclusions using the scientific method. Interval of instruction necessary to address goal:    ___ yearlong     _X__ semester

Planned assessments and criteria used to determine levels of performance:

1) PRE/POST test: 25 question multiple choice standards-based common assessment on the scientific method to establish student performance groups. 

* 0-12 correct = Below Proficiency

* 13-18 correct = Approaching Proficiency

* 19-25 correct = Proficient

2) standards-based science department created tool to assess understanding of independent and dependent variables 

Starting point for student performance groups based on 25 question common assessment on scientific method: * 0-50% Below Proficiency (0-12 correct) * 51-75% Approaching Proficiency (13-18 correct) * 76-100% Proficient (19-25 correct) Pretest Data: Student Ratio (Percentage) Proficient 14/31 45% Close to proficiency 15/31 48% Far from proficiency 2/31 1% Expected target for each student performance group: All student performance groups will maintain or achieve proficiency, or show a growth in learning by increase their overall score by at least 3-points. Rationale for expected targets:  The expected targets for each performance groups were set after evaluating the pretest result of the standard based common assessment on scientific method.  Four questions regarding the recognition of independent and dependent variables were consistently missed by all grade levels (#2, #15, #16, & #24).  Instructional strategies will be focused on improving students’ understanding of independent and dependent variables.  Students are expected to score at least 3 out of 4 or 75% to be proficient in the formative assessments.  Due to the spiraling effect of complexity of the standards-based instruction, student performance groups who showed proficiency on the standards-based pretest will maintain and/or increase proficiency on the post test.  Student performance groups who showed Below Proficiency or Approaching Proficiency on the standards-based pretest will achieve either a proficient score or a score increase of at least 3 points on the post test. Instructional strategies for each level of performance: *** See Instructional Strategies/Accommodation/Intervention Check List for strategies tried with target groups scoring below proficiency (science-dept created in combo with list received from VP Wheeler) All groups will : ·        Be introduced to scientific method and its vocabulary ·        Perform experiments using scientific method ·        be assessed using departmental formative  assessment  (students will analyze various scenarios to focus on independent and dependent variables ) Below and Approaching Proficiency student performance groups will receive the additional strategies: ·        one-on-one instruction ·        Formative test retakes ·        Additional formative tests ·        Additional worksheets