Falling test scores, a struggling economy, an ethnically diverse population, and changes in the global marketplace have brought the American educational system under increasing scrutiny and attack. The need for new skills in the Information Age has prompted reform efforts in all areas of the curriculum, but with a special focus on science. In concert with curricular change, reformers have also targeted assessment. They have recognized that what is evaluated often drives what is taught. Thus, there is a very pressing need in K-12 education today for practical programs and materials to help all schools plan and implement alternative assessment approaches. In response to this need, researchers are prototyping and evaluating a technology-based package designed to engage teachers and administrators in informed discussion and practical ongoing action in the area of alternative assessment in science instruction. The centerpiece of this package is a CD-ROM based simulation, Dealing with Assessment: Science Education, that simultaneously introduces the issues and provides a foundation of skills for independent action by teachers and administrators.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: This project will initiate the research leading to the development of a commercial package to help schools implement alternative assessment reform in science education.
