FOSS assessments are built to help students learn
The integrated FOSS Assessment System is based on research by FOSS developers during the NSF-supported Assessing Science Knowledge (ASK) project. It provides what you need to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, encouraging a growth mindset to help students meet the goals described in the NGSS performance expectations.
Embedded Assessment
Continuous monitoring of student thinking helps teachers know when more instruction is needed. Formative assessments are based on authentic student work, including science notebook entries and response sheets.
Performance Assessment
Teachers track students’ progress on science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts, by observing students’ interactions as they investigate.
Interim Assessment
Interim assessment tasks are designed specifically around NGSS performance expectations to expose students to new ways of integrating and applying three dimensions to solve problems. For grades 3–5, these can be used at the end of a module or at year end as a grade-level summative assessment.
Benchmark Assessment
FOSS benchmark assessments include:
- Assessments to gauge students’ knowledge before and after the course
- I-Check assessments to monitor progress at the end of each investigation
- Options to modify assessments for students with IEPs and those who need accommodations

See how FOSS builds success by assessing it.
Craig Gabler, Ph.D., Member, NGSS Writing Team