This article provides an overview of the current trends in assessment practice within the field of graphic design. The demands placed on educators to apply sound assessment practice for Higher Education subjects is as intense in the field of graphic design as in any other. Forcing the assessment of creative visual work into existing assessment…

The following article discusses holistic grading as implemented in a first-year undergraduate calculus course. The intent of this manner of grading is to distinguish both students that truly master the material and those that have not even a limited understanding from the majority of the student body. (Contains 6 figures.)

Most recently, many higher education institutions have continued to struggle to answer the question of whether they should promote diversity as a central value of the university or protect themselves from legal challenge by avoiding the inclusion of diversity initiatives. In this article, the authors first provide several examples documenting how…

The ReitOR Agency has for the first time posted its ratings of colleges and universities in the Volga Federal District of Russia based on criteria of public assessment, having designated institutions in the following priority areas of training: machine building, energy, communications and telecommunications, management and economics, and gas and…

Argues that poststructural literary theory raises concerns about the validity of holistic scoring. Concludes that, in the case of large-scale writing assessment, failure to consider the implications of poststructural theory can result in reliable but hardly valid readings of students' essays. (PRA)

Takes issue with scientific legibility studies which focus on isolating variables to obtain verifiable results, but which are not useful in the more complex and holistic design of specific type faces. Demonstrates visually the principles and attributes ending with Roxane, a typeface developed with certain principles in mind. (SC)

Proposes that in-depth assessment of student writing is the best and most effective way of grading papers and determining student needs. Includes a sample assessment scale. (CRH)

Two kinds of instruments, atomistic versus holistic, offer different approaches to the grading of writing. This paper briefly discusses the pros and cons of these two philosophies of grading. In addition, the paper presents a holistic, primary-trait scoring instrument that has been used successfully to judge editorials by breaking down the…

The effect of different types of rating task instructions on rater behavior was examined using experts, as opposed to novices, as raters. The experts were instructed to (1) form a global categorical judgment (early hypothesis generation); (2) assess 19 detailed elements; or (3) both. Subjects were 8 dental faculty members who ranged in age from 28…

A phenomenological approach was used in a study of three assessment strategies for the evaluation of journals written by speech communication students: (1) analytic assessment strategy; (2) primary trait assessment strategy; and (3) holistic assessment strategy. Completed question-and-answer packets, consisting of 8 to 12 diaries each, written by…

Elaborates on some elements of special relevance for critical analysis. Considers how an understanding of interpretation and beliefs as inherently holistic suggests that interpretation involves the recognition of alternatives, and that therefore assessment involves their comparison. Suggests that the consideration of alternatives is inevitable in…

Outlines the series of decisions involved in selecting and then using sample papers in holistic evaluation. Attempts to make test-developers aware that they have choices to make and that their choices will have serious consequences for student and evaluator alike. (RS)

Claims that holistic scoring offers significant advantages over conventional grading systems for: (1) placing students in extra help or enrichment classes; (2) evaluating incoming or transfer students; (3) regrouping existing classroom situations; and (4) providing an expedient measure of writing achievement. (RAE)

One approach to writing across the curriculum--microthemes--involves short writing assignments such as summary writing, thesis support, inductive reasoning, and quandary posing. Using microthemes in accounting can ease the burden for instructors trying to provide useful evaluative feedback to improve student writing. (SK)

Holistic scoring enables the evaluation of writing skills based on general impressions of content and style. An experiment in an accounting class shows how it can be applied successfully with a high degree of reliability. (SK)