While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Student engagement in science classrooms has declined significantly over the...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Student engagement in science classrooms has declined significantly over the past decade.
- Many educators have struggled to find effective methods for increasing student participation in laboratory activities.
- A 2020 pilot program at Jefferson High School introduced collaborative inquiry-based experiments.
- Students worked in teams to design their own investigations rather than following predetermined procedures.
- The program coordinator, Dr. Maria Rodriguez, documented a 40% increase in voluntary lab participation.
- Students also reported higher satisfaction levels and improved understanding of scientific methods.
The student wants to highlight the key outcome of Jefferson High School's pilot program. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Many educators have struggled to find effective methods for increasing student participation in laboratory activities.
Jefferson High School's 2020 pilot program achieved a 40% increase in voluntary lab participation through collaborative inquiry-based experiments, while also improving student satisfaction and understanding.
Dr. Maria Rodriguez coordinated a pilot program that introduced collaborative inquiry-based experiments at Jefferson High School.
Students worked in teams to design their own investigations rather than following predetermined procedures.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Student engagement in science classrooms has declined significantly over the past decade." |
|
| "Many educators have struggled to find effective methods for increasing student participation in laboratory activities." |
|
| "A 2020 pilot program at Jefferson High School introduced collaborative inquiry-based experiments." |
|
| "Students worked in teams to design their own investigations rather than following predetermined procedures." |
|
| "The program coordinator, Dr. Maria Rodriguez, documented a 40% increase in voluntary lab participation." |
|
| "Students also reported higher satisfaction levels and improved understanding of scientific methods." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Jefferson High School's collaborative inquiry-based pilot program successfully addressed declining science engagement by significantly increasing student participation and satisfaction.
Argument Flow: The notes establish a widespread problem (declining science engagement and educators struggling with lab participation), then present a specific solution attempt (Jefferson's collaborative approach), and conclude with documented positive results (40% participation increase plus improved satisfaction and understanding).
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to identify which choice most effectively highlights the key outcome of Jefferson High School's pilot program.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that emphasizes the results/outcomes of the pilot program, not its methods or background.
Any limiting keywords? "Key outcome" tells us we need to focus on results, and "most effectively" means we're looking for the choice that best accomplishes the goal of highlighting those outcomes.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The key outcomes from our analysis are: the 40% increase in voluntary lab participation (the main quantitative result), plus the improved student satisfaction and understanding (additional qualitative benefits)
- The right answer should emphasize these results rather than focusing on the background problem, the methodology, or who coordinated the program
Many educators have struggled to find effective methods for increasing student participation in laboratory activities.
✗ Incorrect
- This describes the background problem that many educators face
- It doesn't mention Jefferson High School's pilot program or any outcomes at all
- This is context, not a result of the pilot program
Jefferson High School's 2020 pilot program achieved a 40% increase in voluntary lab participation through collaborative inquiry-based experiments, while also improving student satisfaction and understanding.
✓ Correct
- Directly states the key quantitative outcome: "40% increase in voluntary lab participation" and includes the additional qualitative outcomes: "improving student satisfaction and understanding"
- Clearly connects these results to Jefferson High School's specific approach
Dr. Maria Rodriguez coordinated a pilot program that introduced collaborative inquiry-based experiments at Jefferson High School.
✗ Incorrect
- This identifies who coordinated the program and what type of program it was
- It doesn't mention any outcomes or results
- Students might think this is correct because it mentions the pilot program, but it focuses on who ran it rather than what it achieved
Students worked in teams to design their own investigations rather than following predetermined procedures.
✗ Incorrect
- This describes the methodology used in the pilot program
- It explains how students worked but doesn't mention any outcomes or results
- Students might confuse the program's method with its outcomes, but the question specifically asks for key outcomes, not procedures