Tier 1 Instructional Strategies To Improve K-4 Reading Comprehension
Category: Student Learning
Instrument Overview
Expert Notes AvailableView expert commentary on strengths and cautions for this instrument
Strengths
Combines multiple-choice and constructed-response items aligned to core ideas (inheritance and variation), allowing it to capture both factual knowledge and students’ ability to explain and connect concepts.
Cautions
Rubric-based scoring may lead to variability in scoring unless raters are carefully trained and calibrated.
This assessment is a paper-and-pencil instrument designed to measure upper elementary students’ understanding of inheritance of traits and variation of traits. The instrument includes a combination of multiple-choice and constructed-response items that target key genetics concepts aligned with elementary science standards.
The assessment consists of 17 items that address topics such as inherited versus acquired traits, variation among offspring, environmental influences, and the role of both parents in contributing to traits. Items present scenarios involving humans, animals, and plants, asking students to identify, explain, and apply ideas about heredity and variation.
Constructed-response items are scored using a rubric based on levels of knowledge integration, which categorizes student responses according to how they use and connect relevant scientific ideas. The scoring framework distinguishes between isolated, partial, and more integrated explanations.
The instrument is designed for use as a pre- and post-assessment in instructional settings to examine how students understand and explain relationships between inheritance and variation.
Organization
Topic
Collection Category(ies)
Content
Grades
5th Grade
Languages
English
Respondent
Student
Administration Information
Length
17 items, 45 mins
Administration
Paper
Access and Use
Price
No fee
Psychometrics (additional guidance)
Item Type
Multiple choice
Open response
