Many students associate grades with the completion of course work rather than learning the course content. While research has heavily focused on teaching strategies and instructional tools to improve students’ learning in general chemistry, less focus has been given to assessments as a learning tool to improve students learning. Standards-based grading (SBG) is a nontraditional assessment method that explicitly connects the learning course objectives with assessments and student grades. Provided with more than one opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of course objectives, students are evaluated on their level of achievement of these objectives. This article describes the implementation, outcomes, and challenges of SBG in a large enrollment nonmajors’ general chemistry course. Evidence is presented regarding the use of SBG in chemistry from the evaluation of two semesters of students’ assessment scores and a student opinion survey. Students appeared to use the structure of the SBG to pass the course at higher rates than previous semesters, demonstrated some metacognitive skills, and generally appreciated SBG as the assessment method in the course.
Curriculum materials can play a major role in shaping teachers' thinking about instruction and content as well as serve as a support for teachers' learning. With the inclusion of engineering in NGSS, many teachers may be turning to existing curriculum materials to help them infuse engineering into their science classroom, especially when they do not have the time or opportunity for professional development sessions. In this study, we identified a sample of curriculum materials freely available online to chemistry teachers trying to incorporate engineering in the topics of stoichiometry and/or energy, common topics in secondary chemistry curricula. Using qualitative coding methods, we examined what this sample had to offer the chemistry teachers in the way of developing their understanding of engineering and teaching it. Our findings indicate that within our sample there are limited existing curriculum materials to support teachers' engineering incorporation into secondary chemistry, and the support for teachers varied in terms of content and usefulness across the materials. The materials provided procedural information for activities but lacked in supports for teacher learning and student development beyond the procedure. Implications for the enactment of NGSS in secondary science along with needs for curriculum development and teacher learning are discussed.
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