This study aimed at identifying: 1) the problems faced by Social and natural science teachers of Muhammadiyah Schools Kartasura Indonesia in the implementation of National Curriculum, 2) suitable model for Social and natural science teacher development in the implementation of National Curriculum, 3) lesson study validation as a model for Social and natural science teacher development in the implementation of National Curriculum. Qualitative approach, the paradigm of social definitions particularly on micro studies, was employed in this study. The research subjects were 30 teachers of Muhammadiyah Elementary Schools in Kartasura Indonesia. The informants were teachers, principals, and supervisors. Data collection techniques included documentation, questionnaire, observation, test, and interview. Data analysis techniques were the first and second interpretations. The flow of data analysis included data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. This study found out: 1) the problems faced by Social and natural science teachers in the implementation of National Curriculum consist of internal and external issues, 2) model for Social and Natural Science teacher development in the implementation of National Curriculum incorporates lesson study approach and collaborative approach, i.e., workshops, laboratory training, and teacher mentoring, 3) lesson study validation as a model for Social and Natural Science teacher development in the implementation of National Curriculum involves validation of theory and practice.

There have been many efforts to improve elementary school students’ critical thinking skills in science through various learning methods. However, only a few research results show efforts to improve critical thinking skills through HOTS-based science questions for elementary school students. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of student habituation with HOTS-based science questions in improving elementary school students’ critical thinking skills in science. Quasi-experimental methods were employed in this research with a nonequivalent control group design involving a treatment class and a control class. The treatment class gets treatment in HOTS-based science questions habituation during the learning process, while the control class in conventional approaches. A total of 60 students is from one of the elementary schools in Surakarta, Indonesia. To take data related to students’ critical thinking skills, they were given pretest and posttest where each test used HOTS-based science questions in an essay. The obtained data from the tests were then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. This study showed that the average of critical thinking skills in science of students in the experimental class was higher than the control class, with a positive mean difference of 0.4226. Based on these results, it is recommended that the results of this study can provide an overview to educational practitioners at the elementary school level and researchers in the field of science education related to efforts to improve elementary school students’ critical thinking skills in science through the habituation of HOTS-based science questions.

The results of teacher competency test performed by the Centre of Human Resource Development on Education and Education Quality Assurance have indicated less effectiveness of a certification program. A regional subject teacher association called MGMP (Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran) board, is also known as a forum of all subject teachers with a strategic role in increasing teachers' professionalism in carrying out their duties as professional teachers. The main objectives of the study were to describe the mechanism of pedagogical competence development activities for biology teachers in a post-certification program through MGMP forum and to identify the characteristics of the activities of biology MGMP. The research method was of survey type and the data collection instruments were a list of questions, polling, and a questionnaire. The respondents included the head of educational quality assurance agency or LPMP (Lembaga Penjamin Mutu Pendidikan) Central Java, education officers of Surakarta, principals, biology MGMP board, as well as biology teachers, selected through purposive sampling method. The results of this study revealed that the mechanisms and the procedures of activities to develop the pedagogical competence of biology teachers in the post-certification program in Surakarta through MGMP were: MKKS (Musyawarah Kerja Kepala Sekolah) or association of school principles networking initiate coordination with district education office, biology MGMP conducts a gathering to devise programs and activities for a year with guidance from supervisor and MGMP board, MKKS or coordinators of MGMP authorize devised programs and activities, implementation of needs-based activities, determination of resource persons, and evaluation to obtain feedback for programs and activities of subsequent years. Furthermore, characteristics of activities based on the priority were: review of Graduate Competency Standard (GCS); preparation of final exam exercises and national exam try-out, and analysis of previous national exam; preparation of student worksheets, preparation of modules, preparation of lesson plan (LP), comprehension of learning materials, enrichment of laboratory materials; workshop of classroom action research (CAR), and preparation of incidental materials. The outcomes produced by biology teachers after carrying out the activities were: final exam exercise, national exam try-out and GCS, syllabus and lesson plan, learning methods and appraisal instruments, CAR proposal, as well as modules/teaching materials/props. The constraints encountered in the implementation of the activities were: funding issues, unstructured and discontinuous programs, complexity of providing resource persons, absence of guidance and supervision, and lack of teacher's awareness. Meanwhile, several solutions to overcome the constraints in order to support the effectiveness of the activities were: comprehension of biology learning materials, enrichment of laboratory materials, collaboration with universities, CAR follow-up, more structured and c...

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ANALYSIS SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS AND SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDES OF XI GRADE STUDENTS OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN BIOLOGICAL PRACTICEAbstractPracticum is one of the learning methods that cannot be separated from Biology learning. If implemented properly, the practicum can develop science process skills and students' scientific attitudes. This study aims to: (a) analyze student science process skills in Biology practicum at Surakarta State Senior High School 2; (b) analyzing the scientific attitude of students in the Biology practicum at Surakarta State Senior High School 2; and (c) analyzing the effectiveness of Biology practicum in developing science process skills and students' scientific attitudes. This research is a descriptive study conducted at SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta in March to May 2018. The population in this study were all students of class XI IPA SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta even semester 2017/2018 school year totaling 128 students while the sample was taken purposively sampling a total of 56 students. Science process skills data is obtained from the results of the observation sheet analysis while the scientific attitude data is obtained from the observation sheet and student questionnaire. Based on the results of data analysis, it was found that: (1) the science process skills class XI IPA of SMA 2 Surakarta in the Biology lab was categorized very well with the average score of KPS 82.03; and (2) the scientific attitude of the 11th grade students of SMAN 2 Surakarta is in the average category with an average score of 68.63. Thus, it can be concluded that Biology practicum can develop science process skills and students' scientific attitudes.AbstrakPraktikum merupakan salah satu metode pembelajaran yang tidak dapat dipisahkan dari pembelajaran Biologi. Jika dilaksanakan dengan baik, maka praktikum dapat melatihkan keterampilan proses sains (KPS) serta mengembangkan sikap ilmiah siswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (a) menganalisis KPS siswa pada praktikum Biologi di SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta; dan (b) menganalisis sikap ilmiah siswa pada praktikum Biologi di SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif yang dilaksanakan di SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta pada bulan Maret sampai dengan Mei 2018. Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas XI IPA SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta semester genap tahun pelajaran 2017/2018 yang berjumlah 128 siswa sedangkan sampel diambil secara purposive sampling sejumlah 56 siswa. Data KPS diperoleh dari hasil analisis lembar observasi sedangkan data sikap ilmiah diperoleh dari lembar observasi dan angket siswa. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data diperoleh hasil bahwa: (1) KPS kelas XI IPA SMAN 2 Surakarta pada praktikum Biologi dikategorikan sangat baik dengan perolehan rata-rata skor KPS 82.03; serta (2) sikap ilmiah siswa kelas XI IPA SMAN 2 Surakarta masuk dalam kategori cukup baik dengan rata-rata skor 68.63. Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan bahwa praktikum Biologi dapat mengembangkan KPS dan sikap ilmiah siswa.