This topical bibliography and commentary addresses methods of alternative, or informal, assessment that have proven effective, and how these methods have been, or can be, established as reliable alternatives to standardized testing. It discusses authentic assessment, forms of alternative assessment (unstructured written activities, unstructured…

Five alternatives to standardized testing of student achievement are described in this brief overview. The first, criterion-referenced tests, are designed to evaluate the accomplishment of specifically stated instructional objectives. Student performance is judged on the basis of the objectives, rather than in comparison to other students taking…

Provides annotations of 12 conference papers, books, and other materials (published between 1991 and 1993) from the ERIC database that focus on teachers, students, and finding alternative ways to assess students' learning in a nontraditional classroom environment. (RS)

This special education research brief provides a synopsis of the steps in curriculum-based assessment (CBA) and lists resources that provide more detail on the method and applications of CBA. The described CBA method involves selecting or developing a method of measurement, assessing student knowledge, tailoring instruction to student needs, and…

The "Super Search Reprint" contains a background paper and 152 abstracts on the topic of curriculum-based assessment and curriculum-based measurement. A paper by Mark Shinn and others, titled "Curriculum-Based Assessment: A Comparison of Models" ("School Psychology Review," 1989, volume 18, number 3), presents four…

This Critical Issue Bibliography (CRIB) Sheet focuses on assessment. Assessment has been a major trend in higher education over the last 10 years, with the nature of the literature changing significantly over the years. This annotated bibliography groups assessment resources into these categories: (1) general resources; (2) institutional…

Summarizes 15 papers commissioned for the workshop on "Assessing Higher Order Thinking and Communication Skills in College Graduates," convened in response to National Education Goal V as presented in the America 2000 document. (RS)

Summarizes books, ERIC documents, and journal articles to provide a guide to some recent discussions of various kinds of student-centered assessments. (JPB)

Presents annotations from the ERIC database of eight journal articles, books, and conference papers (published between 1991 and 1995) on the issue of informal and classroom assessment. Notes that the annotations offer a wide variety of ideas and suggestions to help teachers carry out informal assessment in their classrooms. (RS)

A list is presented of diagnostic tools for regular physical educators who are also involved in adapting physical education programs for children with disabilities. The tests are identified according to the student population served (normal, mentally retarded, severely handicapped, etc.), and the body function being assessed (gross motor, balance,…

This digest concerns itself with the origin of reflective thought, the application of theories about reflective thought to classrooms, conflicts and issues, and a synthesis of the essential ideas. Sections of the Digest address origin of the idea of reflective thought, definitions of reflective thinking, questioning strategies, how to generate…

The authentic assessment method of student evaluation is particularly well suited to vocational education. It connects the way schoolwork is assessed with the way knowledge and competence are judged in the workplace by focusing on tasks that are simultaneously meaningful to learners and linked to school and nonschool demands. Portfolios are one…

American schools are being challenged to provide opportunities for students to achieve at much higher levels. Assessment is viewed as one of the essential elements in assisting schools to address the standards now deemed to be important in a manner that will help all students to achieve them. The major challenge for assessment is to implement…

This annotated bibliography of material from the ERIC database presents 37 annotations on the topic of outcome-based education. The annotated bibliography contains listings for a wide range of materials, including journal articles, books, reports, practica, conference papers, and dissertations. (RS)

This digest offers principles of performance assessment as an alternative to norm-referenced tests. The definition of performance assessment developed by the U.S. Congress's Office of Technology and Assessment is given, common features are listed, and the terms "performance" and "authentic" are defined. Suggested guidelines for…