Analysis of achievement standards, activities, and assessment items in the 2015 Revised Science Curriculum and Grade 7 science textbooks: Focusing on science core competencies

This study analyzed achievement standards in the 2015 revised Science Education Standards as well as activities and assessment items in grade 7 science textbooks using science core competencies and subcomponents. Scientific participation and lifelong learning capacity was not involved in the achievement standards. Logical thinking of scientific thinking capacity, planning and carrying out investigation, analyzing and interpreting data, developing and using models, and constructing explanation of scientific inquiry capacity, collecting and selecting information of scientific problem solving capacity, and using various communication methods of scientific communication capacity were involved in the achievement standards. All five scientific core competencies including all subcomponents except rational decision making of scientific problem solving capacity and understanding and coordinating diverse thoughts of scientific communication capacity were involved in activities of science textbooks. All five scientific core competencies were involved in assessment items of science textbooks. Logical thinking and creative thinking of scientific thinking capacity, planning and carrying out investigation and constructing explanation of scientific inquiry capacity, identifying problems, collecting and selecting information, suggesting solutions, and performing of scientific problem solving capacity, using various communication methods, arguing based on evidence of scientific communication capacity, and being interested in science technology and society issues of scientific participation and lifelong learning capacity.