In this study, two scientific literacy test tools, TBSL (Test of Basic Scientific Literacy) and SLT
(Scientific Literacy Test) were used to measure the scientific literacy of middle and high school
students. 199 middle school students and 195 junior high school students were examined with
these two tests. The conclusions of this study are as follows.
TBSL results showed that the middle school students were scientifically literate compared to
the standard score by the Laugksch and Spargo (1996b). But, SLT result showed that scientific
attitude of students was insufficient. The high school students were also turned out to be
scientifically literate by TBSL test. But SLT result showed that high school students were
insufficient both in scientific knowledge and attitudes.
Students\' scientific literacy were interpreted differently depending on the test tools.
Therefore, in order to assess students\' scientific literacy more accurately, a qualitative
assesment as well as the quantitative assessment are necessary. In addition, more accurate test
tools need to be developed and the existing test tools used in scientific literacy are necessary
to redefine the criteria.