FOREWORD

The Connecticut Academic Performance Test Second Generation Science Handbook has been developed to provide teachers and other educators with important information about the science subtest on the new generation of the CAPT that will be launched in the spring of 2001.

The materials contained in this handbook answer many of the questions Connecticut’s educators have asked about the changes being made in the test. Accordingly, one will find here:

• •a summary of the changes being made in the content to be assessed and in test formats;
• •sample items for each strand to be assessed;
• •suggestions for instructional strategies in the science classroom; and
• •the released 2000 performance tasks.

In addition, this handbook contains resources that teachers and administrators should find useful as they plan and prepare for the second generation of the Connecticut Academic Performance Test.

I urge you to review the materials in this handbook, and I hope that they will help you to continue the ongoing process of improving science programs in Connecticut.

Theodore S. Sergi
Commissioner of Education

 

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