NSTA / NCATE

Preparing for an NCATE Review Using the NSTA Standards

Welcome to the NSTA NCATE website.

Information on this website is intended to assist institutions and programs develop a performance-based assessment system for their science teacher preparation program that will meet NSTA and NCATE expectations. The NSTA template for program reviews is available at www.ncate.org and should be downloaded from that site. The standards referred to in that template are the current standards adopted in 2003 by NSTA and in 2004 by NCATE.

Every effort has been made to provide you with information that is accurate. If at any point you have questions, please contact the program review coordinator by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (614.236.6390).

Examples we may provide should be regarded critically. Remember that the move to performance assessment is an ongoing process and expectations are likely to increase as we gain experience. What we will try to give you is the information you need to design good assessments.

NSTA requires eight performance assessments. Five are shared among all specialty associations but must be adapted to science, while three are unique to NSTA. Programs should keep in mind that the ultimate question for us is whether all of the NSTA standards are addressed adequately by the assessment system. Unlike some associations, NSTA requires that all of its standards be met.

The links below lead to�resources that may be of assistance to you in understanding the expectations of NSTA (and NCATE) and ways to meet the standards.�Most of�the documents are in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF); the templates are MS Word files. To download, follow the procedures appropriate for your computer system (e.g., in Windows right-click on the link and select "Save Target As …" from the pop-up menu).

Information and Instructions for Preparing a Report

• Writing the Report Narrative in Section IV
• Format for writing Program Reports for NSTA reports submitted to NCATE
• Video Series:
  • Safety First! Safety requirements for the 2003 NSTA standards (Windows Media)

Examples of Instruments and Plans

• Assessment 2: Science Content Alignment Forms:
• Middle Teachers and Elementary Science Specialists
• Secondary Science Teachers
• Assessment 4: Student Teaching Observation Form:
  • PDF
  • MS Word
• Example 4b: Addendum to Student Teaching Form:
  • PDF
  • MS Word
• Assessment 5: Evidence of Student Learning in Science:
  • PDF
  • MS Word
• Assessment 6: Example of a Safety Module
• Assessment 7: Research in Science

NSTA requires eight performance assessments. Five are shared among all specialty associations but must be adapted to science, while three are unique to NSTA (see alignment chart).