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Assessment of science learning: Living in interesting times
Author(s) -
Pellegrino James W.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of research in science teaching
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.067
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1098-2736
pISSN - 0022-4308
DOI - 10.1002/tea.21032
Subject(s) - affordance , science education , key (lock) , quality (philosophy) , science learning , work (physics) , computer science , mathematics education , quality assessment , engineering ethics , psychology , management science , engineering management , engineering , engineering education , epistemology , human–computer interaction , mechanical engineering , philosophy , computer security
Beginning with a reference to living in a time of both uncertainty and opportunity, this article presents a discussion of key areas where shared understanding is needed if we are to successfully realize the design and use of high quality, valid assessments of science. The key areas discussed are: (1) assessment purpose and use, (2) the nature of assessment and the importance of research on learning, (3) assessment design processes, (4) validity arguments, (5) measurement and statistical inference, (6) affordances of technology, and (7) systems of assessment. After introducing each vital area, the article discusses how each of the five articles in the special issue is connected to the areas. Concluding comments emphasize the reminder that despite the large amount of work to be done, we are well positioned to realize the high quality, valid science education assessments that we need for K‐16 science education. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 831–841, 2012