Suggesting that the teaching of poetry must be engaging as well as challenging, this book presents practical approaches, guidelines, activities, and scenarios for teaching poetry in high school. It offers 40 complete poems; a discussion of assessment issues (including authentic assessment); poetry across the curriculum; and addresses and…

Discusses the use of assessment to guide instruction using individual interviews, good questioning techniques, observations, and student portfolios. (MKR)

Recounts experiences of a university professor who returned to the elementary classroom and attempted to implement the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and appropriate assessment methods, including nontraditional paper-and-pencil tasks, journal-like writing assignments, focused observations, and performance-based assessments…

Presents examples of one rubric style and different ways that rubrics can be used. Uses the example of developing student understanding of how energy moves through the atmosphere. (MKR)

This article reviews articles within this special issue on science education for students with disabilities, examining the articles in the context of current activities and resources in science education. Constructivism and alternative assessment techniques are seen as especially noteworthy movements in improving science teaching and learning.…

The Hawaii Algebra Learning Project (HALP) developed a curriculum that intertwines algebraic content, instructional methods, and assessment techniques with a problem-solving focus. (MKR)

Describes a laboratory activity "Observing Reactions in Solution." The activity can be used either as a laboratory or as a performance assessment for a high school chemistry class. (PR)

Discusses different approaches to using student journals in mathematics, including showing a heuristic and practicing skills, creating routine and nonroutine problems using real-life situations, documenting and analyzing mathematical thinking, and following up. (10 references) (MKR)

This play continues a dramatization used in the NCTM videotape Mathematics Assessment: Alternative Approaches. Issues and methods of assessment are discussed from the points of view of the teacher, students, principal, and parents. Methods include portfolios, informal interviews, group projects, and open-ended questioning. (MKR)

The use of portfolio creation with teacher education students is one way to enact the spirit and practices associated with the "true testing" movement. True testing advocates relevant work, in-context work, metacognitive work, self-evaluation, peer-collaborations, work commitment, self-directedness, successive work drafts, and work…

Reviews alternative assessment practices in several nations and questions whether these techniques should be used in the United States. Focuses on moderation, a technique in which trained evaluators adjust grades to ensure equitable distribution among participating schools. Concludes that evaluation in art education presents special problems and…

A project was conducted to design an alternative assessment tool for use with adult learners traditionally identified as reading below fifth-grade level. This assessment allows for the creation of a goal-oriented Individual Education Plan that is personalized to the learner's needs and educational goals. The approach, analogous to the art…

Designed for teachers, parents, and teacher educators who are looking for an accessible text on the topic of learning to read, this book's comprehensive scope encompasses standards for early literacy instruction, instructional strategies, alternative assessment procedures, strategies for making connections, and ways to integrate children's home…

Discusses North Carolina's alternative assessment program for first and second grades, the process of implementation, knowledge gained from the program, and implications for implementing Standard 6 (focusing on analyzing and interconnecting teaching and learning) of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Professional Teaching Standards.…

Presented are practical methods exemplifying principles of assessment that involve minimal disruption of the instructional process and not impose additional work on the teacher. Informal assessment methods include annotated class lists and student work folios. Formal assessment methods include practical tests, student-constructed tests, and…