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Grade 5 and Grade 8 NYSSLS Science Tests 2024

3/4/2024

Forty-five educators attended the most recent informational session about the new NYS grade 5 and grade 8 science assessments. For those that were unable to attend, this article will serve as a summary of that day.

What will be on the test?
The Grade 5 test will include all science standards from the 3-5 grade band and the Grade 8 test will include all science standards from the 6-8 grade band. According to the Science Test Guidance document released by the state, each domain of science (Life, Physical, Earth & Space, and Engineering) will be represented on the test proportionally to its appearance in the standards. These two documents (ELS and ILS) can help to see the breakdown of what Science Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and which science domains will be emphasized most on the respective exams. Test questions will be written at a level 2, 3, and 4 from the Performance Level Descriptions (PLDs).

How can we prepare our students?
Many teachers are looking for a vocabulary list, a set of practice questions, or a list of “what our kids need to know”, however the new science standards (NYSSLS) do not operate as a factual list of what students need to know, rather how they figure things out.

Teachers should be using the Science Practices and Crosscutting Concepts (two of the three dimensions) regularly in class to have students figure out the “facts” of science. If explicit teaching of these two dimensions has not been happening up to this point, NOW IS THE TIME TO START. If nothing else, teachers should be using the Science Practices and Crosscutting Concepts language as they engage in science content leading up to the exam.

Science Practices (SEPs)

Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs)

Asking Questions (and DefiningProblems)
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Constructing Explanations (and Designing Solutions)
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Patterns
Cause and Effect
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Systems and System Models
Energy and Matter
Structure and Function
Stability and Change
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Patterns
Cause and Effect
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Systems and System Models
Energy and Matter
Structure and Function
Stability and Change

There is not a review book that can be purchased with practice questions. The state has released 4 clusters of questions that strongly resemble the way questions will look on the actual exam. Teachers can have students access these questions and work through them on the site – probably the best method to practice CBT skills as well. Teachers may also print these out, or they can be found in Castle Learning. Other ways to practice questions directly related to NYSSLS is using Inner Orbit, an online assessment-building platform accessible to all students and teachers at the 5th and 8th grade levels.

I have also gone through the NYS Science Learning Standards with a comb (not necessarily fine-toothed) to create vocabulary lists at each grade band level. I have created this more as a vertical alignment tool than a test-prep tool. I would strongly encourage teachers to start with the SEP and CCC vocabulary before worrying as much about the DCI (Disciplinary Core Idea) vocabulary.

Other preparation resources:

How do the NYS Science Investigations tie into the exam?
The NYS Science Investigations that were released in October 2022 are to be used as performance activities at the end of the unit of study related to the tasks. These should be run as any science activity is run with all students in the classroom – including scaffolding for a variety of needs and appropriate modifications for students with IEPs. Every student should have exposure to all four of these Investigations prior to taking the Grade 5 or Grade 8 NYS Science Assessment. It is in the student’s best interest that they are proficient at these activities, however it is not required. Approximately 15% of the test will be indirectly related to the Investigations. The questions will NOT directly ask about the Investigations, but rather will be within the realm of the content in the Investigations, as well as the skills that are practiced by the students.

By: Kelli Grabowski, CA BOCES Learning Resources

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Grade 5 and Grade 8 NYSSLS Science Tests 2024

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Grade 5 and Grade 8 NYSSLS Science Tests 2024

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Hands-On Science: Teaching the Next Generation

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