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[Phys-l] Calif. standards test -- invitation



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

Take care,
Dean Baird
http://phyz.org