Science Teaching and Learning in Schools: Theoretical and Empirical Foundations for Investigating Classroom-Level Processes

In order to develop students’ scientific competencies systematically, educational experiences in school, especially high-quality classroom level processes, are crucial. The integration of educationally-relevant teaching variables in International Large-Scale Assessments provides an opportunity to analyze components of instructional quality within and between countries. This chapter outlines pivotal considerations and challenges in developing constructs in the field of science teaching and learning in schools that were implemented in the Field Trial student questionnaire of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). It aims to identify educationally relevant teaching variables based on the current theoretical and empirical background of research in science education. In addition, it proposes a framework for describing science teaching and learning in school, investigating country-specific profiles, and analyzing the relationship between science teaching and students’ cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes. The constructs for the Field Trial presented at the end, consider both design-related limitations and trend issues concerning previous PISA cycles.