An analysis on measurement and assessment of social studies teaching program of 6th and 7th grade in primary schools in terms of opinions of the teachers

The aim of this study is to analyze the opinions of social studies teachers working in Seyhan and Yüreğir districts of Adana province about measurement and assessment dimension of the social sciences teaching program developed for 2005 education period.The research study is a descriptive study based on the survey model. The samples of the study were built of 109 social studies teachers teaching in second stage of elementary education in Seyhan and Yüreğir districts of Adana province. In the scope of this study, questionnaire and interview forms were used.Within the frame of the data obtained as a result of the study, it was found out that most of the teachers had not been sufficiently given the training course on 2005 social studies program and on measurement and assessment dimension; the opinions of the teachers about measurement and assessment changed after the alternative measurement and assessment tools had been used; the teachers began to use multiple chose tests, short-answer questions, performance student work, and they also used both traditional and alternative measurement-assessment tools.The teachers also stated that using alternative measurement and assessment tools are helpful, and although a positive change have not seemed in the academic success of the students, these tools contributed to positive changes in the attitude of them. The positive changes were found to be, respectively, the increase in number of the participating students, self-confidence of the students, and the easy expression of the students, love of the students against the course, and the decreasing fear of the students against exams.The teachers stated that they faced with some difficulties in the use of measurement and assessment tools such as pressure of time, over-crowded classes, availability of the sources, tendency to expect everything to be handed to them on silver plate through internet.Keywords: Social studies teaching program, traditional measurement and assessment, alternative measurement and assessment.