Amplify NGSS Benchmark Assessments
Introduction
Amplify’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Benchmark Assessments are designed to help teachers measure student progress toward the three dimensions—Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), and Crosscutting Concepts(CCCs)—and performance expectations (PEs) of the NGSS. The assessments provide important insight into how students are progressing toward mastery of different standards ahead of high-stakes, end-of-year assessments.
The NGSS Benchmark assessments are built to be delivered after specific units in the recommended Amplify Science scope and sequence*. They are given 3–4 times per year, depending on the grade level. The benchmarks are intended to show progress at various points in time across a school year, and are therefore not summative in nature. Digital items and item clusters are also tagged to specific NGSS standards, allowing customization to align with other course sequences. The assessments are available via the following platforms:
- PDF files: For administering Benchmark Assessments on paper
Digital
- Illuminate
- SchoolCity
- Otus
- QTI (“Question and Test Interoperability”) files
- Not sure whether QTI files are compatible with your assessment platform? Contact your school IT or assessment platform representative for more information.
- Please note that Amplify is able to provide access to the QTI files themselves, but is not able to support the integration process. Your assessment platform provider should be able to assist with QTI file integration.
*The Amplify NGSS Benchmark Assessments are separate from the Amplify Science program. They were not created by the Lawrence Hall of Science.
Current customers
If you are a current NGSS Benchmark assessment customer looking for information about the assessments, see this help page.
Assessment structure and scoring
Structure
Each assessment is structured in two segments, and designed to be administered in a 90 minute session.
- Segment A: a sequence of multiple choice questions
- Segment B: a series of performance tasks, short responses, and multiple choice questions
Grades 3–5 have 4 benchmark assessments per grade, with 14–15 items per assessment.
Grades 6–8 have 3 benchmark assessments per grade, with 25–26 items per assessment. Grades 6–8 can be structured to follow either an integrated or a discipline/domain model.
Scoring
Each NGSS dimension is tested by a minimum of 3 items per grade level. Reporting categories are defined at multiple levels, including individual NGSS dimensions and Performance Expectations.
Each item carries a recommended value of 1–3 points, and each assessment is accompanied by a teacher Scoring Guide that details for each item:
- NGSS standards alignment
- Depth of Knowledge (DOK)
- Answer Key
- Item Type
- Recommended score
Sample Assessment Items
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
|
Are the Benchmarks aligned with Amplify Science unit content? |
Not exactly. Amplify provides a recommended placement for Benchmark assessments after particular sets of units in the Amplify Science sequence, based on general standards coverage in those units. The content of the Benchmarks is more broadly tied to the NGSS dimensions and performance expectations, rather than the specific content/phenomena of the Amplify Science units. These recommendations are visible on the Benchmark Assessments page for current customers. |
|
Can the Benchmarks replace the Amplify Science curriculum assessments? |
Definitely not! The pre-unit, critical juncture, and post-unit assessments embedded in the Amplify Science curriculum are designed to assess students’ progress toward the learning goals (the progress builds and phenomena) specific to each unit.In contrast, the Benchmark assessments were designed to measure student progress toward the NGSS dimensions and performance expectations ahead of end-of-year tests. Benchmarks should NOT be graded, or used in place of the unit assessments. |
|
How can I access the Benchmarks? |
If your school or school district has purchased Amplify Science, the app will be linked in your Global Navigation Menu (see screenshot below). That page contains information on administering the Benchmarks on all available platforms, as well as links to download any files you might need, such as printable PDFs.
|
