INCLUDE SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES ON ISTEP (9-2003)

First there was ISTEP, the Indiana Statewide Testing for 
Educational Progress test, which was introduced in 1987. A 
revamped and “improved” version, known as ISTEP+, came 
along in the 1990s. Then, the sophomore ISTEP test was 
converted to the Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE). A 
student has five chances to pass this test in order to 
receive a diploma upon graduation.

But all these tests, which measure the educational progress 
of students in selected grades, were designed to measure 
only the core subjects of English and math. There were no 
science or social studies components – until now.

In 2001, the State Board of Education added science and 
social studies components. But because of lack of funding, 
these subjects were left off the test until this year.

This year’s fifth graders will take a new version of the 
test which does include a science component. The social 
studies component will have to wait until the economy 
improves, according to state officials. Over the next two 
years, the seventh- and ninth-grade classes will begin 
taking the science component as well.

Although I agree that English and mathematics are the most 
important of the core subjects, it has taken far too long 
for the state to address the need for further evaluation of 
students in science and social studies. I applaud the fact 
that science is now being added to the ISTEP tests, but I 
am disappointed that social studies has been put on the 
back burner yet again.

It is extremely important that students are adequately 
prepared in science. The addition of science to the ISTEP 
test will help to put Indiana on a level playing field with 
those states that already include science in their testing 
programs. 

Gerald Wheeler, executive director of the National Science 
Teachers Association, laments that the state has lagged in 
adding science to its standardized testing program, saying 
that we are shortchanging our students by not considering 
science as important as the other core subjects.

Most parents and teachers are happy that science will 
finally be included on the test. They realize that it will 
send students a message that science is also important.

Social studies, including geography, is important, too. 
It’s telling when a freshman in high school believes that 
the climate in Alaska is warm because, “The map shows that 
Alaska is down there next to Mexico.” That is where most 
maps of the U.S. place Alaska, in an inset. 

For years, the United States has lagged far behind most 
other industrialized nations in science and geography. One 
reason may be that college entrance exams do not evaluate 
students in these areas. But a well-rounded education will 
include all four core subjects, so standardized tests 
should include them as well.

Adding science to the ISTEP will cost the state $750,000. 
It’s a relatively small figure compared to the state’s 
total education budget. And it’s money well spent. 

We must not shortchange Indiana’s elementary and high 
school students due to budgetary concerns. An investment in 
education is one that will show a great return in the years 
to come. 

Finally, after all these years, the state will place 
science on an equal footing with math and English. 
Budgetary concerns or not, no more time should be wasted 
before including social studies as well.