In "The Case for Participatory Evaluation in an Era of Accountability" (this issue), Jill Chouinard highlights seven tensions between the participatory and technocratic approaches to evaluation. She suggests that there is a need to create opportunities for more participatory approaches to evaluation. In this essay, I suggest that the era of…

Defines authentic assessment as an approach to assessment that is designed to correspond as closely as possible to real world experience. Discusses the rubric, a tool that is being used across the curriculum, and how it can be used in technology education. Rubrics are scoring devices designed to assist in clarifying, communicating, and assessing…

While no one instrument can accurately evaluate or assess every college or university debate program, two separate frameworks can be established based in forensics and assessment literature. The first framework is a descriptive/analytic/evaluative framework for a debate program based on the philosophies of the several national conferences on…

This paper focuses on the use of portfolio assessment in the evaluation of limited-English-proficient (LEP) students. Specific sections address the following: recent developments in performance assessment; observations regarding LEP students and assessment; student portfolios (what they are and how they can be used); what a portfolio should…

Includes 10 articles related to evaluating learning in technical agriculture discuss evaluation techniques, authentic assessment, evaluation of student learning in agricultural mechanics, assessment of knowledge using standards and benchmarks, standardized testing, academic skills assessment, and formative classroom assessment. (JOW)

Scandal has once again brought attention to the nation's child welfare system. In response to the news that Florida's child welfare bureaucracy could not account for hundreds of children supposedly in its care (2002), investigative journalists have found evidence of similar problems in other states. Ironically, the news that some states cannot…

An alternative vision of assessment for technology teacher education views assessment as an essential activity conducted by teacher educators to improve teaching and learning rather than to support accreditation and teacher licensure decision making. (Author)

Makes case for using performance assessments in career development interventions conducted in the classroom. Examples are drawn from "Pathways," a recently developed Canadian program for career development. Limitations of performance assessments are discussed, followed by recommendations for practice and research. (Author)

Reports some of the results of an endeavor by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to evaluate the science teacher preparation programs of institutions seeking accreditation with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1988. Discusses the potential for the future of NSTA participation in NCATE. (LZ)

This paper explains the development of a National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education project to move the professional accreditation process to one which focuses primarily on the performance of candidates and institutions. It discusses program quality review and notes possible differences between the current system and such a system in…

This discussion paper is intended to inform the further development of the National Research and Evaluation Strategy (NRES) by strengthening its focus on evaluation in Australian vocational education and training (VET). Chapter 1 discusses the implications for the role of evaluation that changes in VET have caused in the past decade. Chapter 2…

Few would argue against the idea of planning and implementing improvements to the nation's schools. This report contends, school improvement planning processes have frequently not been conceived in ways likely to produce desired learning outcomes for many students. The analyses presented in this report focus on a lack of attention to how schools…

In 2000, the American Society for Training and Development and the National Governors Association convened the Commission on Technology and Adult Learning. The 31-member commission included representatives of the business, government, and education sectors. They formulated a vision for the future of e-learning in the United States and identified…