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http://www.nagb.org
What do the achievement levels mean?
BASIC-
Partial Mastery
Students performing at the Basic level demonstrate some of the knowledge and reasoning required for understanding of the earth, physical, and life sciences at a level appropriate to Grade 8. For example, they can carry out investigations and obtain information from graphs, diagrams, and tables. In addition, they demonstrate some understanding of concepts relating to the solar system and relative motion. Students at this level also have a beginning understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.
PROFICIENT-
Solid Performance
Students performing at the Proficient level demonstrate much of the knowledge and many of the reasoning abilities essential for understanding of the earth, physical, and life sciences at a level appropriate to Grade 8. For example, students can interpret graphic information, design simple investigations, and explain such scientific concepts as energy transfer. Students at this level also show an awareness of environmental issues, especially those addressing energy and pollution.
ADVANCED-
Superior Performance
Students performing at the Advanced level demonstrate a solid understanding of the earth, physical, and life sciences as well as the abilities required to apply their understanding in practical situations at a level appropriate to Grade 8. For example, students can perform and critique the design of investigations, relate scientific concepts to each other, explain their reasoning, and discuss the impact of human activities on the environment.
What Eighth Graders Know and Are Able to Do
- Identify the effects of acid rain
- Identify the rate of speed of a moving object
- Perform the correct subtraction within a table
- Identify the importance of decaying matter
- Describe an experiment to determine if an item can conduct electricity
- Identify the use of an anemometer
- Draw a conclusion from a graph showing trends or patterns
- Make a prediction about heating rates from a table of data
- Conduct an experiment to identify unknown powders
- Explain the impact of dead fish on a pond
- Determine the best crop field based on a table of results
- Determine the role of the organism in its environment
- Identify why a plant looks green
- Explain the causes and the prevention of food poisoning
- Identify the input/output energy forms