Essential Secondary Science Assessment (ESSA)

ESSAonline contains:

• approximately 80 multiple choice items and short response items which are marked electronically
• three extended response tasks, which are scored by teams of trained experienced science teachers. Student responses are scored holistically; that is, they are given a score based on the depth and quality of knowledge and understanding exhibited in an entire response.

The features of ESSA extended response marking are highlighted in the following news article by a  marker.

a teacher's story

Janet Gray, St Johns Park HS

I am very pleased that I chose to mark ESSA. The opportunity to get more experience of holistic marking and my curiosity about the online marking process combined to get me to the ACER (Australian Council of Educational Research) premises in Alexandria.

Learning about the SOLO (Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome) taxonomy, on which the ESSA marking rubric is based, during the briefing session was new to me and I found it very interesting.

The online marking software was very easy to use. I marked one of the extended response tasks that had been scanned in colour and came up on a 19 inch screen. Occupational health and safety was emphasised and we were shown stretches and eye exercises and how to use our ergonomic chairs correctly in airconditioned surroundings.

ESSA is formative assessment and the feedback in the SMART package will help us evaluate the effectiveness of our teaching programs. I intend to apply to mark extended response tasks, again and I suggest you consider doing the same; it is a most valuable experience. 

Full article published in SEN (Science Education News), Volume 55, November 1, 2006, p 10. Used with permission