NJPEP: Virtual Academy (New Jersey Professional Education Port)

Test Specifications
Contents
Science

Examples of How Each Test Question Assesses Two Science Standards (p. 43-45)

Each Core Curriculum Content Standard for Science is comprised of several Cumulative Progress Indicators (CPIs). Each "Macro Statement "is a reinterpretation of the Core Curriculum Content Standard and its related CPIs as they apply to grade clusters 5-8 and 9-11.

Each test question addresses two Macro Statements simultaneously. The individual cells on the test matrices for GEPA and HSPA show in a graphic way how this pairing is done.

The first through the fifth Macro Statements are general and apply to life, physical, and earth sciences. For example, the GEPA 's second Macro Statement (5.2.6.7.8.9.10.11 {Problem Solving}) says students should "develop problem-solving, decision-making and inquiry skills." The sixth through the twelfth Macro Statements cover the fundamental concepts of life, physical, and earth sciences. For example, the GEPA's sixth Macro Statement (5.6.8.9.10.12 & 5.7.7 {Structure of Living Things}) says students should "recognize the similarities, differences, interdependencies, and basic structure of living things." Therefore, the second and sixth Macro Statements would be assessed together in a question that asks a student to design an experiment in life sciences. The student would be expected to include a control in his/her experiment. The test questions for the High School Proficiency Assessment are constructed in the same way.

The following sample item was derived from the GEPA Content/Skill Outline 5.7.5.6.8.9 (Diversity) and Conceptual Understanding. It is linked to the Knowledge Statement for 5.7.5.6.8.9 which says, "Some organisms reproduce asexually resulting in an offspring that is genetically identical to the parent. Genetically identical organisms share identical characteristics. "Every test question can be linked to one or wo Macro Statements and through the Macro Statements back to the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

A one-celled organism has reproduced by dividing itself into two parts. What is true of the two new cells formed?

            A.   The offspring cells are always different
                   from the parent cell, as children
                   are always somewhat different from
                   their parents.

            B.   The two new cells will be unable to
                   reproduce, because they were
                   formed through asexual reproduc-tion.

            C.   Each of the new cells will have twice
                   as much genetic material as the parent
                   cell had.

            D.   The genes in the nucleus of the off-spring
                   cells are identical to the
                   genes that were in the nucleus of
                   the parent cell.

The answer is D.

This sample item may be placed in its appropriate cell on the GEPA test matrix (identified as cell "A,2 ")at the intersection of "Conceptual Understanding " and "Diversity."

The following sample item was derived from the HSPA Content/Skill Outlines 5.1.7.8.9.10 (Systems) and 5.8.9.10.11.12.13 (Matter). It is linked to the Knowledge Statement for 5.1.7.8.9.10 which says, "Physical systems may include atomic structure, forces on an object, electrical circuits and reaction mechanisms. "It is also linked to the Knowledge Statement for 5.8.9.10.11.12.13 which says, "Elements can be organized, based upon chemical and physical properties, into the Periodic Table." Every test question can be linked to one or two Macro Statements and through the Macro Statements back to the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

In which Group on the Periodic Table would you place an element with the following properties:

                         . Solid
                         . Non-conductor
                         . Forms a molecule with two atoms
                           of Hydrogen

               A. Group VI
               B. Group II
               C. Group IV
               D. Group VIII

The answer is A.

This sample item may be placed in its appropriate cell on the HSPA test matrix (identified as cell "C,4 ") at the intersection of "Matter " and "Systems." Additional sample items for GEPA and HSPA are contained in the next two section of this directory.