Reports a reanalysis of data collected in a person x task x occasion rater or method G-study design (M. Ruiz-Primo and others, 1993), and brings this reanalysis to bear on the interpretation of task-sampling variability and the convergence of different performance-assessment methods. (SLD)

Introduces the articles of this theme issue focusing on performance assessment methodology. Papers address: (1) merging item formats; (2) scoring models; (3) equating and linking; (4) generalizability theory; (5) standard setting methods; and (6) validity issues and methods. (SLD)

Reviews the conclusions drawn in articles in this special issue and comments on some of the major themes, including paradigm debates, context issues, the role of evaluators and evaluation, the performance measurement movement, and the impact of new technologies on evaluation. (SLD)

In 1991, Michael Scriven published "Beyond Formative and Summative Evaluation," a reconsideration of the classic distinction in evaluation roles. Debate about the roles of evaluation continued in the four papers that follow this introduction, all of which were presented at a forum at the 1995 International Evaluation Conference. (SLD)

Discusses the value of Tombari and Borich's work for explaining the need for authentic teaching and assessment practices, providing assessment techniques, and for inspiring inservice training sessions. (JPB)

Introduces the articles of this theme issue focusing on the involvement of key stakeholder groups in the validation of large-scale high-stakes assessments. Each makes a unique but complementary contribution to the understanding of the demands of a comprehensive validation effort. (SLD)

Reviews books and a video tape that can assist educators searching for authentic ways to implement "best practices" in their teaching. Reviews nine books that, in general, discuss finding and using good literature for children, and four books that discuss advancements in authentic assessment and evaluation. (SR)

This commentary on articles in this special issue generally agrees with the viewpoints expressed, although it argues that in some cases the authors of these articles should have expanded on certain issues. Many comments relate to the legal defensibility of the positions taken. (SLD)

This book is a collection of nine commissioned papers that consider the educational reform represented by performance assessments, their advantages and disadvantages, and the challenges of successful implementation. Both theoretical and practical issues are addressed. (SLD)

This volume describes the characteristics and functions of test items, presents editorial guidelines for writing test items, presents methods for determining the quality of test items, and presents a compendium of important issues about test items. (SLD)

Reviews 11 books that consider the politics of school reform. (MLF)

Comments on the discussion by Ginette Delandshere and Anthony Petrosky of the numerical rating of complex performances in the context of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Early Adolescence/English Language Arts assessment. Conceptualizes the discussion in terms of matching information to purpose in testing. (SLD)

Responds to Susan Brookhart's comments on the discussion of assessing complex performances by Delandshere and Petrosky. Notes that the article focused on the meaning and usefulness of scores or ratings in the context of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards assessments. (SLD)

Rather than being a handbook of resources, this book is primarily a glossary of testing terms from the routine to the obscure. Although the title suggests a focus on performance-based evaluation, the book concentrates on orthodox testing procedures. (SLD)

The five chapters of this report provide resources that deal with the validity, generalizability, comparability, performance standards, and fairness, equity, and bias of performance assessments. The book is written for experienced educational measurement practitioners, although an extensive familiarity with performance assessment is not required.…