Writing Conclusions Based on Data: An Assessment of Standardized Testing.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether correlations exist between students writing scientific explanations in the format known as Conclusion Based on Data and student achievement on standardized tests, such as Curriculum Based Assessments (CBA). The results of the treatment: having students write Conclusion Based on Data, or a Claim, Evidence and Reasoning (CER) conclusion, does increase a student's conceptual understanding of science and their understanding of science processes. The results of the Pearson r correlation show that there is a significant correlation between the students ability to write a CER conclusion and their scores on the CBA. The t-tests shows conclusive evidence to support that using the CER method of learning does increase CBA test scores. A positive correlation exists between the students' ability to write a CER conclusion and their scores on the CBA. As students' CER scores increase, their CBA scores increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]