Science Literacy 2006 school release materials - NAP

Appendix CNational Assessment Program– Science Literacy, Year 6, 2006:Major Scientific ConceptsMajor scientific concepts in the NationalAssessment Program – Science LiteracyA table of the major scientific concepts found most widely in the various State andTerritory curriculum documents has been developed to accompany the scientificliteracy progress map (see Table B.1).These major concepts are broad statements of scientific understandings that Year 6students would be expected to demonstrate. They provided item writers with aspecific context in which to assess scientific literacy. An illustrative list of examplesfor each of the major concepts provides elaboration of these broad conceptualstatements and, in conjunction with the scientific literacy progress map whichdescribes the typical developmental stages for scientific literacy, was used as aguide for the development of assessment items.It should be noted that, because the National Assessment Program – ScienceLiteracy test instruments are constructed within the constraints of test length,it will not be feasible to include all the listed concepts in instruments constructedfor a specific testing cycle.63