Nature of Science in an Age of Accountability (Sacred Bovines) (Essay‪)‬

Why shouldn't teachers teach to the test? If that seems problematic, then the test needs changing, not the teaching. In our new Age of Accountability, at least, testing is not going away soon (Shepard, 2010). One challenge seems especially acute: testing beyond content. Climategate. Revised mammogram recommendations. Erroneous links between the measles vaccine and autism. Suspect communication with coma patients. An informed judgment in these cases requires understanding the nature of science (NOS), not just scientific concepts (Sacred Bovines, November, 2010). But how do we test for this type of understanding? In particular, how do we get past the multiple-choice format, with its inherent tendency to reduce knowledge to piecemeal facts? If a primary goal is to prepare scientifically literate citizens--able to participate in public and personal decision-making involving science--more sophisticated assessment formats are needed.