Comparing Grade 4 Science Scores: Green Bank vs. National Averages

 

The sources provide a detailed view of Green Bank Elementary's Grade 4 science performance across three branches of science: Earth & Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. This response will compare Green Bank's scores with the national averages for each skill to highlight areas of strength and weakness.

Earth & Space Science

• Positive Performance: Green Bank Grade 4 students demonstrate proficiency exceeding national averages in several Earth & Space Science skills:

  • Analyzing causes and effects of Earth changes: Green Bank students score at the national average.
  • Reading a weather map: Green Bank students surpass national scores by 5 points.
  • Associating a celestial object with its characteristics: Green Bank students outperform the national average by 8 points.
  • Using a graph to predict weather: Green Bank students score 8 points above the national average.

• Areas for Improvement: While showing strength in some areas, Green Bank students exhibit deficits in others:

  • Reading a weather chart: A deficit of -5 points compared to the national average is observed.
  • Drawing a conclusion about Earth history: Students lag behind the national average by -3 points.
  • Applying an understanding of causes of weathering: Green Bank students fall short of the national average by -1 point.
  • Analyzing causes and effects of landforms: A -15 point deficit compared to the national average is seen in this skill.
  • Using observations to group rocks: Green Bank students are -19 points behind the national average.
  • Using data to make a generalization of Earth processes: A -20 point difference from the national average is observed.
  • Using observations to compare star patterns: Green Bank students score -20 points lower than the national average.
  • Making a prediction based on an understanding of shadow formation: A deficit of -21 points is noted.

Life Science

• Strengths: Grade 4 students at Green Bank exhibit strong performance in several Life Science areas, surpassing national averages:

  • Making a hypothesis about the spread of organisms: Students perform 2 points above the national average.
  • Predicting the effect of an action on an ecosystem: Green Bank students outscore the national average by 5 points.
  • Associating products with their sources: Students perform 8 points above the national average.
  • Making an inference about the relationship between structure and function: Students exceed the national average by 8 points.
  • Reading a chart about foods: Green Bank students outperform the national average by 9 points.
  • Drawing a conclusion based on an understanding of structure and function: Green Bank students score 13 points above the national average.
  • Using observations to predict an organism's habitat: Students score 13 points above the national average.

• Areas for Development: Despite strengths, Green Bank students lag behind national averages in other Life Science skills:

  • Using observations to group organisms: A significant deficit of -13 points is observed.
  • Making a prediction based on an understanding of a food web: Students score -9 points lower than the national average.
  • Analyzing a graph about sound: Students are -14 points behind the national average.
  • Associating organisms with their characteristics: A deficit of -15 points compared to the national average is seen.
  • Evaluating the design of an experiment about conditions for growth: Students score -19 points lower than the national average.
  • Evaluating evidence supporting a conclusion: A -20 point deficit compared to the national average is observed.
  • Using observations to apply an operational definition: Students score -26 points lower than the national average.

Physical Science

• Exceeding Expectations: Green Bank's Grade 4 students show particular strength in Physical Science, exceeding national averages in several skills:

  • Reading a color chart: Students outperform the national average by 5 points.
  • Using observations to determine the relative motion of objects: Students score 6 points above the national average.
  • Reading a graph about motion: A 9 point surplus compared to the national average is observed.
  • Predicting the motion of objects: Students score 11 points higher than the national average.
  • Predicting the relative amount of energy used: Students exceed the national average by 11 points.
  • Applying an understanding of energy in wave motion: Green Bank students outperform the national average by 14 points.
  • Associating a scientific instrument with its use: Students are 14 points above the national average.

• Room for Improvement: Despite strong overall performance, Green Bank students exhibit deficits in some areas:

  • Measuring the length of an object: A considerable -11 point deficit is observed.
  • Grouping states of matter: Students fall short of the national average by -13 points.
  • Analyzing the results of experiments with forces: Students lag behind the national average by -17 points.
  • Relating causes and effects of physical changes: A deficit of -18 points compared to the national average is noted.
  • Evaluating evidence of an electric current: Green Bank students score -26 points lower than the national average.
  • Associating an object with a state of matter: A significant -40 point deficit compared to the national average is observed.

Summary: Green Bank Grade 4 Science Performance

By analyzing the data presented in the sources, it's clear that Green Bank Elementary's Grade 4 students demonstrate a varied performance in Science. They excel in specific skills within each branch of science but also face challenges in others.

• Earth & Space Science: Students show strength in interpreting weather information but struggle with understanding broader Earth processes and celestial concepts.
• Life Science: Students excel in understanding structure and function relationships in organisms but need further support in analyzing graphs and data related to ecosystems and organism characteristics.
• Physical Science: This appears to be a strong area for Green Bank's Grade 4 students, particularly in comprehending motion, energy, and scientific tools. However, challenges remain in understanding states of matter and the application of experimental data.