Purpose

The Partnership for the Assessment of Standards-based Science (PASS) is a collaboration of states, regions and school districts engaged in science education reform. PASS was established in 1996 with funding provided by the National Science Foundation. Its purpose is to assist schools, districts, and states with the development, administration, scoring, and reporting of valid and reliable standards-based science assessments that match the learning goals of the National Science Education Standards  (1996).

After an extensive review of the National PASS program, including alignment studies between the Vermont Framework, the National Science Education Standards, and the PASS science assessment, Vermont joined the partnership in the fall of 2000. PASS and the Vermont customized version of the assessment, “Vermont-PASS,” measures the extent to which students are achieving science literacy as defined by the National Science Education Standards and the Vermont Framework. As participating members of the PASS assessment development process, Vermont teachers and scientists will work to ensure that the assessment represents what Vermont values for the science education of all our students. 

The Vermont-PASS Science Assessment Blueprint was developed to help educators understand the VT-PASS assessment and to maximize its use in making local science curriculum, instruction, and professional development decisions. The Blueprint will guide teachers as they reflect on science content, assessment, and practice.  It will also guide action-planning committees as they use the assessment data to inform their decisions.