Concert attendance is often a major determinant of student grades in ensemble classes. Yet, there are reasons to question whether concert night is an effective setting for student assessment. This article probes the usefulness and fairness of concert grades and suggests policies that support equitable learning environments. Strategies for…

This document includes the "FY 2022 Annual Performance Report" and "FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan." The "FY 2022 Annual Performance Report" provides narrative and data on the US Department of Education's progress toward the strategic goals and objectives outlined in its "Fiscal Years 2022-2026 Strategic…

The "FY 2022 Annual Performance Plan" (i.e., fiscal year (FY) 2022 APP) is required by the "Government Performance and Results Act Modernization Act of 2010," and guidance for its development is provided by the Office of Management and Budget's Circular No. A-11, Part 6. The "U.S. Department of Education's Strategic Plan…

The "Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing," first established in 2004, reflect the lessons learned by experienced authorizers. This foundational resource for National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) has been used to guide authorizing practices across the country and is referenced in state…

Charter school authorizing is a powerful strategy for making excellent public schools and educational opportunities available to all students. Done well, charter authorizing increases student achievement by expanding the supply of quality public schools to satisfy unmet needs--particularly by providing life-changing opportunities for students…

The Building State Capacity and Productivity (BSCP) Center released a report outlining a process for state education agencies (SEAs) to evaluate and improve their System of Recognition, Accountability, and Support (SRAS). The federal government now sets high expectations for state and local use of federal dollars while allowing greater state…

This document summarizes the work of participants in California's Towards Arts Assessment Project (TAAP). The project participants worked on developing guidelines and plans for arts assessments. The document includes the TAAP participants' performance assessments as illustrations and as guidelines for continuing a dialogue in the feasibility and…

This document provides college level performance data for the SCHEV system-wide and institution-specific measures submitted to SCHEV in May 2002. The data concerns community colleges that are a part of the VCCS (Virginia Community College System). The data is divided into ten systems: (1) advancement rate system; (2) transfer rate system; (3)…

Students at 1 East Harlem high school bypass Regents exams and Carnegie units, working intensively to prepare portfolios revealing their competence in 14 curricular areas. European assessment strategies differ from traditional U.S. tests by being truly representative of performance in the field, employing well-articulated performance standards,…

Discusses President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act and addresses the flaws of the program. Addresses the program's focus on student assessments, relationship between assessment and accountability, and mandated assessments for public school. Also discusses how the program does not affect private and religious schools. (MZ)

The Research and Planning (RP) Group for the California Community Colleges (CCC) supports the Partnership for Excellence (PFE) effort to improve student success as measured by the goals, yet the RP Group sees the goals as limited in scope regarding the full work of the CCC. In addition, the RP Group is realistic about the political forces at work…

Contributions by California art educators in this guide outline issues underlying performance assessment and provide examples of assessment for the arts from kindergarten through grade 12. Chapter 1 introduces art as basic to education and presents the potential of art education for all students. Chapter 2 examines performance assessment by giving…

This document describes performance assessments (PAs) (alternative assessments or authentic assessments). PA requires students to perform a task rather than select an answer on a ready-made list. Some methods that have been used successfully to assess performance include open-ended or extended response exercises, extended tasks, and portfolios.…

Gives descriptions of how performance assessment tasks are linked to science curriculum objectives, along with criteria for and examples of performance assessment tasks. Describes the role that computers and related technology can play in problem-based performance assessment. (LZ)

The implementation of a performance review system for administrators at a large community college is described. Early efforts focused on defining faculty excellence and then modifying review and promotion systems to support the definition. Using summary statements about administrator excellence, a feedback survey and a process for eliciting…