[Physltest] [Phys-L] Re: California standards test in physics

[John Barrer <forcejb@YAHOO.COM>]

--- Larry Woolf <Larry.Woolf@GAT.COM> wrote:

> "The following released test questions are taken
> from the Physics Standards
> Test. This test is one of the
> California Standards Tests administered as part of
> the Standardized Testing
> and Reporting (STAR) Program
> under policies set by the State Board of Education.
> All questions on the California Standards Tests are
> evaluated by committees
> of content experts, including teachers
> and administrators, to ensure their appropriateness
> for measuring the
> California academic content standards in
> Physics. In addition to content, all items are
> reviewed and approved to
> ensure their adherence to the principles of
> fairness and to ensure no bias exists with respect
> to characteristics such
> as gender, ethnicity, and language."
<http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/documents/css05rtqphysics.pdf>
> What do you folks think of the following questions:
>
> 3. A student wires a series circuit that includes a
> block of rubber and a light bulb. She states that
> she does not expect the light bulb to light up
> when current is applied to the circuit. Which of
> the following best describes her statement?
> A It is a conclusion based on observed data
> about electrical phenomena.
> B It is a hypothesis based on knowledge of the
> theory of electrical phenomena.
> C It is a procedure based on her hypothesis
> about electrical phenomena.
> D It is a theory based on her observations of
> electrical phenomena.

Others have already addressed the physics issues with
this question. There are also serious English issues.
The first sentence appears to describe a completed
event (wiring of the circuit). The second sentence
describes a prediction about the future ("does not
expect"). Native English speakers would have a tough
time deciding whether the question asks about a
prediction or an observation. It would be impossible
for  our large population of non-native students.

These are two REALLY bad questions. John Barrere
University HS  Fresno, CA
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