Teacher work samples (TWS) are an integrated, comprehensive assessment tool that can be used as evidence of a beginning teacher's readiness to teach. Unlike linear assessments used to determine teaching effectiveness, TWS are relevant and reflective of "real" teaching. They are designed to exhibit a clear relationship among teacher candidate…

"It's All About Student Learning Assessing Teacher Candidates' Ability to Impact P-12 Students", provides practical assistance for institutions designing or revising assessment systems or individual assessments for use by units or programs. The publication includes performance assessments currently used by teacher preparation institutions and…

Teacher Work Samples (TWS) can be viewed in terms of a product and a process. As a product, the TWS measures a teacher candidate's (TC's) ability to promote student achievement, documents that TCs have met minimum national standards, and validates teacher education programs. Teacher candidates engage in observable, job-related behaviors that serve…

This study explores the efforts at Brigham Young University to improve preservice candidates' technology integration using the Teacher Work Sample (TWS) as an assessment tool. Baseline data that was analyzed from 95 TWSs indicated that students were predominantly using technology for productivity and information presentation purposes even though…

Recent accountability efforts at state and national levels highlight the importance of preparing future teacher in the skills required to produce sound classroom assessments that are capable of improving student learning through informed instruction. Stiggins (1995) suggests that the quality of classroom assessments will not improve unless teacher…

The guidelines are intended to clarify assessment procedures used with handicapped students in Maine. Based on materials compiled by practitioners in that state, the manual focuses on prevocational and vocational assessments for students in grades 7-12. A three level prevocational (life skills) assessment is proposed, beginning with global…

Collaboration between special educators and vocational evaluators can begin with vocational assessment which consists of three major aspects: work sampling, psychometric testing, and critical observation of behaviors. Assessment results can result in improved academic programing, career exploration activities, or modified IEPs. (CL)

Comprehensive career assessment of handicapped students takes into account medical, psychoeducational, interest and aptitude information, work and job samples, and situational assessment. School-based career assessment programs are described in Texas, New York, Maryland, and Missouri. The author suggests that such programs will become vital parts…

The paper reviews methods of vocational assessment for handicapped secondary students and considers factors involved in job analysis. (CL)

This guide is intended to assist vocational rehabilitation counselors in planning and conducting short-term vocational evaluations of clients. The first section discusses the elements that must be included in a comprehensive vocational evaluation. Next, strategies for conducting a vocational evaluation are explained. The next section, a case study…

The 24 chapters of this collection discuss contemporary approaches to using student learning gains to evaluating teachers or schools. The four methods considered are: (1) the Oregon Teacher Work Sample Methodology (chapters 2 through 6); (2) the Dallas Value-Added Accountability System (Texas) (chapters 7 through 11); (3) the Tennessee Value-Added…

The use of a performance-based assessment of senior medical students' clinical skills utilizing standardized patients was evaluated, with 6,804 student-patient encounters involving 405 students over 6 years. Results provide evidence for test security, content validity, construct validity, reliability, and test ability to discriminate a wide range…

A study examined the underlying factor structure of the aptitude tests and work samples being completed by students with educational disadvantages (limited reading and mathematics skills) who were assessed with the current assessment model in the Akron (Ohio) Public Schools. The amount of variance accounted for by the factors was also…

This handbook shares methodologies for guiding teacher preparation and licensing. It provides a rationale for the inclusion of teacher work sample methodology in preparation and licensing programs, describes how student learning is the central concept within teacher work samples, explains how to teach students and teachers about work samples, and…

The basis for the assessment process in this project is that structured situations within curriculum areas will yield vocational information (skill and behavioral) that has a direct and indirect relationship to occupational areas in the world of work. Thus, with the assistance of school assessment teams, seven situations were identified and…