Senior Project Advisor

Connell, Georgianne L. (Georgianne Leana)

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Fall 2019

Keywords

NGSS, Benchmark assessment

Abstract

The United States has been struggling to provide effective K-12 science education. In response, states began adopting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013 with the hopes of improving science education in the United States. As the NGSS become more common throughout schools in the U.S. it is important to begin collecting data on how they are affecting science education. This study was designed to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of the NGSS in preparing students for college-level biology. University students with varying levels of exposure to the NGSS were given a biology benchmark assessment that is aligned with the standards to determine preparedness for university level biology. In addition, participants were given a demographic survey to determine if factors outside of exposure to the NGSS that could affect performance on the benchmark assessment. After analyzing the benchmark assessment scores, I identified the content areas with the weakest performance and thus a future point of focus for high school biology courses. Furthermore, I analyzed the benchmark assessment scores in relation to the demographic survey and determined that there were very few factors that affect benchmark assessment scores. It is important to continue to watch and evaluate the effectiveness of the NGSS since without satisfactory science education, students will be unprepared for college level coursework.

Department

Biology

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Next Generation Science Standards (Education); Science--Study and teaching--United States--Evaluation; Biology--Study and teaching--United States--Evaluation

Geographic Coverage

United States

Genre/Form

student projects; term papers

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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