After the kerfuffle over a previous California Physics standards test,
you will be pleased to read a member of the stds. committee invites
fellow Physicist to join him on the committee to vet questions offered
by that monopoly in Princeton.
Here's the invite: [Application not attached, ask Dean or me.]
Greetings NorCal Physics Teachers!
As you know, California administers Standards Tests in a variety of
subject areas each spring. Physics figures into several of those tests
(the high school physics test, 8th grade physical science test, and
4th/5th grade science test). Educational Testing Services (ETS) develops
the tests for The California Department of Education (CDE). Test
development includes writing test questions and field-testing those
questions. One part of the question-development process involves the
CDE's Assessment Review Panel (ARP). The Science ARP includes
professional and academic scientists as well as K-12 science teachers
from throughout the state. The panel reviews questions before they are
placed into field-testing to make sure the content of each question is
correct (and that the keyed answer is the correct answer--and the only
correct answer). The panel also verifies that each question matches the
California Science Standard that it is supposed to test, and is
appropriate to the grade level of the students who are to take the test.
The panel also re-examines approved questions once field-testing data is
available for them. I know these details because I have served on this
panel for the past few years.
Here's the problem, physics-teaching colleagues. Precious few of us on
the ARP are "physics people." For a variety of reasons, there are times
when the panel convenes and I'm the only "physics person" to be found.
And that's not good. The work of the ARP is important for the quality of
the science STAR tests. Like most important work, it is at times
rewarding and at times frustrating.
The ARP is in need of more physics content specialists--people like you!
The state needs you. More importantly, I need you!
I'm attaching an application for the ARP. If the attachment doesn't make
it through to you, contact me at dean@phyz.org <mailto:dean@phyz.org>
and I'll see to it that you get it. The application shows a deadline of
May 19. Change that to June 1.
Please consider joining me to serve on the Assessment Review Panel. I
know there are many wise and thoughtful physics teachers in the NCNAAPT;
I would love to see you on this panel.
Diane Hernandez at the CDE and I will be happy to answer any questions
you may have about the ARP.
Diane Hernandez, dhernand@cde.ca.gov <mailto:dhernand@cde.ca.gov> (916)
319-0349
Dean Baird, dean@phyz.org <mailto:dean@phyz.org> (916) 979-8931x05