Special Features of AIS

The AIS system supports the development of Higher Order Cognitive Capabilities:

• Core capabilities and concepts for success in secondary school math, science, and technology.
• Competence in critical thinking.
• Competence in scientific investigation of natural phenomena.
• The ability to discover scientific concepts.

The AIS system features include:

• Assessment activities that:
  • Are based on interaction with natural phenomena.
  • Give teachers insight into how students are thinking when they solve problems or learn new concepts, rather than information on how well students memorize and recall.
  • Reveal whether students can apply what they have learned in school to practical situations and problems.
• Operational learning goals for scientific inquiry and discovery of scientific concepts, written at a level appropriate for planning lessons and units.
• Learning goals which are aligned with New York State Standards.
• Rating scales which specify levels of competence for each learning goal.
• An online information system which permits teachers to monitor student progress across the secondary school career.
• Reports of attainment on each learning goal for individual students and classes.
• Reports which provide the information teachers need to plan and improve instruction based on the level of student competence.
• Professional development opportunities related to the following capabilities:
  • The administration of assessment tools
  • Reliably rating student performance
  • The use of the online information system to support student attainment

Please contact Paul Zachos for more information