Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Common Ancestry ~ Item CA034002 ~ Student Performance

Assume that Gene X is a gene that codes for a trait that dogs, pigs, and cats have in common (such as forelegs, tail, etc.). Based only on the composition of Gene X for dogs, pigs, and cats, which of these organisms do you think are most closely related?

Dogs and Cats
Dogs and Pigs
Cats and Pigs
Not enough information is given.

Pre-Test

Distribution of responses (prior to studying evolution in high school)
Answer Choice		Overall	Grades		Gender		Primary Language
		n = 558	6–8 n = 25	9–12 n = 498	Male n = 243	Female n = 274	English n = 502	Other n = 19
A.	Dogs and Cats	68%	60%	69%	70%	69%	69%	58%
B.	Dogs and Pigs	9%	12%	9%	10%	7%	10%	11%
C.	Cats and Pigs	14%	20%	13%	13%	16%	13%	21%
D.	Not enough information is given.	8%	8%	8%	7%	8%	8%	11%

Post-Test (Control)

Distribution of responses (following typical high school instruction on evolution)
Answer Choice		Overall	Grades		Gender		Primary Language
		n = 294	6–8 n = 23	9–12 n = 247	Male n = 109	Female n = 171	English n = 264	Other n = 9
A.	Dogs and Cats	80%	87%	78%	78%	80%	78%	89%
B.	Dogs and Pigs	7%	4%	7%	7%	6%	7%	0%
C.	Cats and Pigs	9%	4%	9%	10%	8%	9%	11%
D.	Not enough information is given.	5%	4%	6%	5%	6%	6%	0%

Post-Test (Treatment)

Distribution of responses (following completion of an evolution curriculum module)
Answer Choice		Overall	Grades		Gender		Primary Language
		n = 281	6–8 n = 3	9–12 n = 257	Male n = 132	Female n = 140	English n = 254	Other n = 11
A.	Dogs and Cats	86%	67%	87%	80%	91%	86%	82%
B.	Dogs and Pigs	4%	0%	4%	6%	3%	5%	0%
C.	Cats and Pigs	5%	33%	5%	8%	4%	5%	0%
D.	Not enough information is given.	5%	0%	4%	6%	3%	4%	18%

Science Assessment

Item CA034002: Organisms whose DNA sequences for a certain gene are more similar than those of another organism, are also more closely related.

Pre-Test

Post-Test (Control)

Post-Test (Treatment)