الملخص الإنجليزي
This study aims to investigate the Scientific Literacy Level for 12th grade students in general education in the Sultapate of Oman, and its relation to some variables such as: (schools, gender and students' attitudes towards science). The study sample consisted of (835) students (435 males, 400 females) from 12th grade schooling in general education, (666) students from government schools and (169) students from private sebools, at the academic year 2004-2005 For the purpose of study, two instruments have been constructed: First: A scientifie literacy test consisting of (51) items divided into three domains: (scientific knowledge, nature of science and interrelationships between Science Technology-Society- Environment (STSE)). Second: An attitudes questionnaire consisting of (30) statements divided into three domains: (Rational of science, interest in seience and seience in life).
The validity of instruments was checked out through a panel of (32) judges. The reliability was calculated to both using Cropbach-Alfa, and found to be (0.93), and (0.86) respectively for scientifie literacy and attitudes tests, Results of this study revealed the following:
The students' performance in the total scientific literacy test and in the three domains of the scientific literacy were below the educationally accepted criterion (80%). There was no statistical significant difference at the level (a0,05) between the two means of private schools and goverpment schools students in the scientific literacy test. There was a statistical significant difference at the level (as0,05) between the two means of male and female students in the scientific literacy test in favor of females. The students' performance in the attitudes towards science and in the three domains was below the educationally accepted criterion (80%).
• There was no correlation between the scieptific literacy levels for twelfth grade students in general education and its relation with their attitudes towards science. On the basis of the findings, the researcher recommends more attention be given to the scientific literacy for students in general learning through using different scientific activities and different teaching methods, also more attention sbould be given to developing the scientific literacy for science teachers through training programs/courses that are offered by various educational institutes, prior or during their service. The researcher also recommends further studies tackling such approach.
