Educational Psychology

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is important for scientists to use accurate terminology, give examples of inaccurate and accurate terminology,
provide that component of the scoring rubric to students, distribute some examples of student responses (maybe
from former students), and then discuss how these responses would be classified according to the rubric. This
strategy of assessment for learning should be more effective if the teacher (a) emphasizes to students why using
accurate terminology is important when learning science rather than how to get a good grade on the test (we
provide more details about this in the section on motivation later in this chapter); (b) provides an exemplary
response so students can see a model; and (c) emphasizes that the goal is student improvement on this skill not
ranking students.

Table 40: Example of a scoring rubric, Science
*On the High School Assessment, the application of a concept to a practical problem or real-world situation
will be scored when it is required in the response and requested in the item stem.

Level of

understanding

Use of accurate

scientific

terminology

Use of

supporting

details

Synthesis of

information

Application

of information*

4 There is evidence in

the response that the

student has a full and

complete

understanding.

The use of accurate

scientific terminology

enhances the response.

Pertinent

and complete

supporting

details

demonstrate

an integration

of ideas.

The response

reflects a

complete

synthesis of

information.

An effective

application of the

concept to a

practical problem

or real-world

situation reveals

an insight into

scientific

principles.

3 There is evidence in

the response that the

student has a good

understanding.

The use of accurate

scientific terminology

strengthens the

response.

The

supporting

details are

generally

complete.

The response

reflects some

synthesis of

information.

The concept

has been applied

to a practical

problem or real-

world situation.

2 There is evidence in

the response that the

student has a basic

understanding.

The use of accurate

scientific terminology

may be present in the

response.

The

supporting

details are

adequate.

The response

provides little or

no synthesis of

information.

The application

of the concept to a

practical problem

or real-world

situation is

inadequate.

1 There is evidence in

the response that the

student has some

The use of accurate

scientific terminology is

not present in the

The

supporting

details are only

The response

addresses the

question.

The

application, if

attempted, is

Educational Psychology 260 A Global Text