Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR)
   Learning in science depends on actively doing science. Active engagement in hands-on, minds-on science learning experiences enables students to make personal sense of the physical world and to solve problems. Toward these ends, the EALR for science were developed based on the following set of guiding principles.

1. All students should be expected to attain satisfactory achievement and performance on all Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
2. All students should have access to a carefully articulated science program each year in kindergarten through 10th grade with opportunities for continued study in grades 11 and 12.
3. All students should receive quality feedback about their performance and achievement in science on a continuous basis.
4. All students, regardless of gender, cultural or ethnic background, physical or learning disabilities, aspirations, or interest and motivation in science, should have the opportunity to attain scientific literacy.
5. All students should have access to effective and appropriate teaching from well trained teachers who are supported with high quality instructional resources.

If all students attain mastery of the EALR for science, Washington State will be much closer to attaining the national goal of being the first in the world in science achievement and performance.

Science Benchmark 2 - Grade 8

1. The student understands and uses scientific concepts and principles
• use properties to identify, describe, and categorize substances, materials, and objects, and use characteristics to categorize living things
• recognize the components, structure, and organization of systems and the interconnections within and among them
• understand how interactions within and among systems cause changes in matter and energy
2. The student knows and applies the skills and processes of science and technology.
• develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• apply science knowledge and skills to solve problems or meet challenges
3. The student understands the nature and contexts of science and technology.
• understand the nature of scientific inquiry
• know that science and technology are human endeavors, interrelated to each other, to society, and to the workplace

Science Benchmark 3 - Grade 10

1. The student understands and uses scientific concepts and principles.
• use properties to identify, describe, and categorize substances, materials, and objects, and use characteristics to categorize living things
• recognize the components, structure, and organization of systems and the interconnections within and among them
• understand how interactions within and among systems cause changes in matter and energy
2. The student knows and applies the skills and processes of science and technology.
• develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• apply science knowledge and skills to solve problems or meet challenges
3. The student understands the nature and contexts of science and technology.
• understand the nature of scientific inquiry
• know that science and technology are human endeavors, interrelated to each other, to society, and to the workplace

Information on the complete EALR standards can be found at the following web site:
                                     www.k12.wa.us/curriculuminstruct/ealrs.asp

Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL)

   The Washington State Assessment Program annually collects information about student achievement in basic skill areas. To this end, in the spring of 2001, students in Grades 4, 7 and 10 participated in the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in reading, writing, listening and mathematics. For more information see WASL web site (www.k12.wa.us/edprofile/).
   Unlike many other standardized assessments, the WASL asks students not only to choose right answers and demonstrate subject content knowledge, but also to explain their thinking, write essays, and figure out how to solve complicated problems in mathematics. Science assessments were piloted in the spring of 2001. The WASL is given throughout the state during the last two weeks of April and the first week of May.