Development and Exemplification of a Model for Teacher Assessment in Primary Science

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Author
Davies, Dan
Earle, S
McMahon, K
Howe, A
Collier, C
Date
2017-08-05Acceptance date
2017-07-14
Type
Article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Online
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The Teacher Assessment in Primary Science project is funded by the Primary Science Teaching Trust and based at Bath Spa University. The study aims to develop a whole-school model of valid, reliable and manageable teacher assessment to inform practice and make a positive impact on primary-aged children’s learning in science. The model is based on a data-flow ‘pyramid’ (analogous to the flow of energy through an ecosystem), whereby the rich formative assessment evidence gathered in the classroom is summarised for monitoring, reporting and evaluation purposes [Nuffield Foundation. (2012). Developing policy, principles and practice in primary school science assessment. London: Nuffield Foundation]. Using a design-based research (DBR) methodology, the authors worked in collaboration with teachers from project schools and other expert groups to refine, elaborate, validate and operationalise the data-flow ‘pyramid’ model, resulting in the development of a whole-school self-evaluation tool. In this paper, we argue that a DBR approach to theory-building and school improvement drawing upon teacher expertise has led to the identification, adaptation and successful scaling up of a promising approach to school self-evaluation in relation to assessment in science.
Journal/conference proceeding
International Journal of Science Education;
Citation
Davies, D. J., Earle, S., McMahon, K., Howe, A. and Collier, C. (2017) 'Development and Exemplification of a Model for Teacher Assessment in Primary Science', International Journal of Science Education, (in press)
Description
This article was published in International Journal of Science Education on 05 August 2017 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2017.1356942
Sponsorship
The authors acknowledge the support of the Primary Science Teaching Trust, UK.
Collections
- Education Research [256]
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