Raising test scores vs. teaching higher order thinking (HOT): senior science teachers’ views on how several concurrent policies affect classroom practices

AbstractPurposeThis study investigates how senior science teachers viewed the effects of a Raising Test Scores policy and its implementation on instruction of higher order thinking (HOT), and on teaching thinking to students with low academic achievements.BackgroundThe study was conducted in the context of three concurrent policies advocating: (a) improving test scores; (b) developing students' thinking and inquiry skills; and (c) narrowing achievement gaps.MethodologyData collection was based on 20 interviews with senior science teachers.ResultsThe findings show that the senior teachers’ expectations regarding a ‘new spirit’ calling for instruction of inquiry and HOT throughout the system did not materialize under the high stakes testing regime. Test preparation did involve intense engagement with HOT tasks. However, under the regime of high stakes testing, instruction of HOT seemed to take the form of ‘mechanical instruction’, implying rote learning and drilling students in answering HOT items, rather t...