This article reports on the development of the literary portfolio as an alternative to standard written tests in summative assessment of literary competences in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom. It is argued that traditional class tests put a too narrow focus on those aspects of literary competences that are more readily…

English language learners with special needs require specific cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and cultural considerations to be successful in inclusive environments. Educators who teach within the confines of English-only laws have an additional hurdle to overcome when educating culturally and linguistically diverse exceptional (CLDE)…

Reports on the work of the International Language Testing Association's (ILTA) Task Force on Testing Standards, which has compiled 109 bibliographic records from 24 countries on existing standards documents and solicits feedback for the development of an ILTA code of practice. (MDM)

Discusses the use of alternative assessment procedures in English-as-a-Second-Language classrooms, focusing on three issues: (1) definitions of alternative assessment; (2) issues related to validity, reliability, and objectivity that are often raised as objections to alternative assessment; and (3) the power of alternative assessment to provide…

Four articles provide English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers with advice on how to ensure success with alternative assessment, having students use art and words to tell about their experiences, entertaining test review activities, and how to assess students' knowledge of expressions of gratitude. (Contains seven references.) (MDM)

Reports the results of a survey that asked English-as-a-Second-Language educators to define and describe academic language, give examples of students who use it proficiently in speaking and writing, discuss problems students have with it, and provide examples of how best to assess it. (CK)

Outlines a CRADLE (Collections, Reflections, Assessment, Documentation, Linkages, and Evaluation) approach to portfolio development and use in English-as-a-Second-Language classrooms. This approach focuses on a long-term commitment to portfolio usage by teachers, students, parents, and administrators. (MDM)

Describes one middle school teacher's approach to promoting self-assessment through the use of portfolios in an English-as-a-Second-Language classroom. The portfolios include goal cards, time planning sheets, and projects. It is suggested that goal-centered activities help to build an assessment partnership between students and their teacher.…

Describes three self-assessment activities designed for university-level English-as-a-Second-Language students. They include writing letters to the instructor, keeping a daily language learning log, and preparing an English skills portfolio. (Contains five references.) (MDM)

Discusses how the appropriate interweaving of assessment and teaching encourages students to participate actively in their own learning. The article describes one teacher's efforts to enhance the proficiency of the English language-math learners in her class by encouraging the students to work toward an exhibition of student-built models of famous…

Examined the use of collaborative assessment by eight instructors of a global education course at a Canadian international college for Japanese nationals. Interviews with instructors indicated that although they did not find collaborative assessment easy, they were able to learn from each other and uncover important questions about integrated…

Discusses the revision of the master's degree in the International and Overseas Teaching and Administration (English-as-a-Second-Language track) program at Trenton State College in New Jersey to include a more holistic, rather than test-based, evaluation of students' work. The revised program included action research projects, videotaped…