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APF/TOPSScholar Competition
The Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) is proud to announce the question for the fifth annual American Psychological Foundation (APF)/TOPSScholars Competition. There will be three winners, each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship. TOPSS is extremely grateful to the American Psychological Foundation (APF) for contributing funds to support this wonderful opportunity for the winners in 2003.
To compete in the contest, a student must answer all parts of the question. Winners will be selected on the basis of a demonstrated ability to (1) complete a critical analysis and synthesis of empirical research, (2) design an original program, and (3) generate a quality research proposal to empirically test the effectiveness of the program proposed. Psychology faculty at the high school, college and university levels will serve as judges.
Rules
Eligibility
- Entrants must be high school students
- Entrants must have been enrolled or be presently enrolled in a high school Psychology course.
- Entrants must be sponsored by a TOPSS member.
The Paper
- Papers must be typed or word-processed.
- Papers must be no more than 3,000 words in length. Papers exceeding this length will be disqualified.
- Papers must be in APA style.
- Papers must be submitted in triplicate.
- Papers that are word-processed should include a copy of the entry on a computer disk. The word-processing program must be identified.
- Papers must include an abstract, not to exceed 120 words.
The Procedure
- No more than TEN papers per school may be submitted.
- All entries must include a cover sheet with the following information:
-Student's name
-Student's year in school (e.g., junior, senior)
-Name, address, and phone number of the TOPSS sponsor
-Student's school name, address, and phone number
- Send the paper to:
TOPSScholar Competition
c/o Sherrill Jenkins
Education Directorate
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-4242
-Submission must be postmarked by February 28, 2003.
THE QUESTION (Complete all three parts)
Educational reform has taken many forms in the United States, the latest initiative being that of President George W. Bush's "The No Child Left Behind" legislation. This legislation recommends that standardized tests in Math and English be administered to students from grades 3-7 on an annual basis. Educational leaders and researchers in the field want to ascertain that all children are assessed fairly, and that the skills/abilities identified in these assessments are supported by educational programs in the schools.
Part I.
| Conduct a literature review in which you identify three different skills/abilities that standardized tests actually do measure. |
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A. |
Provide a relevant literature review using a minimum of three (3) sources. |
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Include a reference list that is formatted in APA style. |
Part II.
| Based on the literature review, develop a proposal to your school board in which you make some recommendations of how they should respond to the President's initiative. Provide psychological evidence to support your argument. Do not assume that the members of the board know psychological research or terminology. |
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A. |
Include the skills/abilities that the standardized tests currently measure. |
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B. |
Include other skills/abilities that should be considered by the board. |
Part III.
| If the proposed program is implemented, how can it be evaluated? |
| A. |
Make your suggestions, supported by the psychological evidence you have uncovered. |
| B. |
Include recommendations for how the assessment should take place. |
Rubric/Criteria for Evaluating Essays
Total points that can be awarded for each part of the essay question are
as follows:
Part I 35 points
Part II 32 points
Part III 32 points
A perfect essay with a perfect score would add up to 99 points. ESSAY should not exceed 3,000 words.
Part I: Literature Review (7 points for each section)
| _____ |
Comprehensive review using a minimum of three sources |
| _____ |
Quality of analysis of the literature |
| _____ |
Clear communication of information |
| _____ |
Demonstrates grasp of the topic |
| _____ |
Accurate use of APA style |
| _____ |
Total points for Part I (out of 35) |
Part II: Application of Literature Review (8 points for each section)
| _____ |
Clear focus on the selected skills and abilities |
| _____ |
Accurate relationship shown between research information and information
presented to educators |
| _____ |
Proposal to the board is presented to the target audience using logical
reasoning and including psychological evidence |
| _____ |
Discussion of the skills and abilities NOT addressed by the standardized
tests is accurate and part of the presentation |
| _____ |
Total points for Part II (out of 32)
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Part III: Program Assessment (8 points for each section)
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_____ |
Clear focus in addressing evaluation of the program |
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_____ |
Accurate communication of assessment to be used relating directly to the skills and abilities addressed in Part II |
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_____ |
Clear explanation of the recommendations to the board |
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_____ |
Proposal meets APA ethical guidelines
-- refer to Sections 6.06 through 6.19 for relevant information. |
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Total points for Part III (out of 32)
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_____ GRAND TOTAL POINTS FOR ESSAY (out of 99)
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