INTRODUCTION

Like its predecessor, the 1996 CAPT science handbook, this CAPT Second Generation Science Handbook has been designed to provide Connecticut’s middle and high school science teachers with a range of background materials, ideas, tasks and other resources to better align instruction and assessment with the expectations set by the second generation CAPT science assessment.

The underlying philosophy of the science subtest of the CAPT is that science is not only a body of knowledge, but also a way of thinking about the world around us. The philosophy and objectives closely parallel the National Science Education Standards developed in 1996 by the National Research Council, and Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1993.

As you will note, in addition to a summary of the changes in the test and the revised test content specifications, this handbook also contains copies of recently released CAPT performance tasks and a set of sample items that can be used to assess understanding in each of the CAPT science content domains. Teachers may use these materials in a variety of ways:

• •Background materials and teaching suggestions can be shared and discussed at department meetings.
• •Sample items, including the performance activities, can be used to prepare 9 th and 10 th graders for the test, as well as to help prepare 11 th and 12 th graders who choose to retake the test.
• •Sample items can be used to help teachers to make instructional decisions and to design instructional experiences that are aligned with the CAPT philosophy of science as inquiry.
• •Student work on performance tasks and responses to open-ended questions can be used as catalysts for discussions on curriculum, instruction and achievement.

For more information about the science subtest of the Connecticut Academic Performance Test please call or write to:

3