New forms of student assessment can pay off in terms of improving teaching and learning. Changes in report cards do not mean getting rid of them altogether. Lists criteria for assessments designed for use by school districts that are replacing traditional report cards with new types of student evaluation. (MLF)

An effective school board policy on grading needs to include the following six components: (1) philosophy; (2) definition of terms; (3) line of responsibility; (4) legal review; (5) academic achievement and behavioral skills reported separately; and (6) policy review. (MLF)

Describes student-performance data-analysis system developed by the Hueneme School District in Port Hueneme, California, to meet state and federal accountability requirements. Tracks student-achievement data from four measures into database: Districtwide assessment, report cards, SAT-9 results, a California achievement test, and comprehensive…

To assess student achievement, states use a variety of accountability tools including school report cards, effectiveness scores, and school rankings. Responses from all 50 state departments of education showed that 19 states rank schools on their effectiveness as part of the state's accountability system. Three states use test scores alone for…