7th Grade District Science Assessment Date

Hi all,

In the seventh grade, we give the 7th grade district assessment on scientific method this week. This is just a thought, but I believe that next year we should give the first assessment the week of October 1. My rationale behind this thought it is:
1. We have MAP testing at the beginning of the year.
2. We have hearing/sight screening at the beginning of the year (and they pick the science
classes at Kearney to take all the kids).
3. There is a lot of adding/dropping of students at the beginning of the year.
4. There is at least 1 assembly at the beginning of the year.
5. The first three days of school are assessment days and many students at Kearney
choose to skip these days - they should NOT be counted as teaching days.


Simply put, although I have been teaching scientific method, it feels as though there have been constant interruptions. Finally, the week that I am giving the first assessment, things appear to be calming down. Since scientific method makes up 60% of CSAP (probably more), I do not feel the early test benefits my students (especially my new students that just arrived last week). I feel that this is too important a subject to do a brief gloss over.

-Emily Klein