Discusses an approach to parent-teacher conferences that involves fifth graders as equal partners with their parents and teacher. Students update their portfolios for the student-parent-teacher conferences, ask and answer questions about their achievements, and discuss their work with their parents. Parents are expected to answer questions about…

Teacher effectiveness can be evaluated by traditional performance-based evaluation, though that method has some limitations. Alternative approaches to teacher evaluation include student evaluation of teacher performance and portfolio assessment. The Tuckman Teacher Feedback Form is presented as a more effective self-improvement system than a…

Describes efforts to implement portfolio assessment within an elementary-science methods course. The methods course was designed to model pedagogical approaches students were expected to employ once they began teaching science in elementary schools. Relying upon examinations to evaluate students was inconsistent with the course philosophy and…

Discusses the use of electronic portfolios as an alternative student-assessment method. Highlights include reasons to use technology to store portfolios in multimedia format; context; teacher-centered approach, student-centered approach, and mixed models; multimedia software; authoring software; and multimedia presentations versus electronic…

A high school geometry teacher studied the alternative assessment literature, developed and tried alternative assessments such as portfolios in the classroom, evaluated students' and parents' satisfaction levels with these methods, and got feedback from those involved. While students initially had mixed reactions, over 90% of parents supported…

The University of Houston-Clear Lake requires preservice teachers to develop a portfolio to demonstrate their proficiency in seven standard areas. The portfolios are developed and assessed under the guidance of university faculty and mentor teachers at the public schools. This team assessment provides interns more extensive and objective feedback,…

Examines how many teacher education programs are using authentic assessments of teaching (cases, exhibitions, portfolios, and action research) to support teacher learning for today's diverse schools. Using specific teacher education programs as examples, the article discusses how and why these strategies support teacher learning and more valid…

Describes the shift to portfolio assessment in Juneau (Alaska) schools, including teacher-developed assessment guidelines for language arts in elementary school and the use of portfolios in a special interdisciplinary high school program. Lists items that the district requires in elementary language-arts portfolios and recommendations to other…

Addresses counseling psychology's inattention to the concept of world views and the importance of this concept to multicultural counseling and therapy (MCT). Presents ethnocentrism in counseling psychology as a possible reason for the profession's inattention to world views. Details a recent article focusing on world views and provides…

Accountability and assessment have become grossly confused in today's educational climate. Although restructuring assessment is essential, the education community must communicate what tests measure, explain the different types of assessments utilized, and distinguish among several scoring techniques. Students should be taught effective…

Describes the possibilities and problems that computer-generated portfolios will soon present to instructors across America. Highlights include the history of portfolio assessment, logistical problems of handling portfolios in the traditional three-ring binder format, use of the zip drive for storage, and software/hardware compatibility problems.…

This article explores the identification of culturally diverse gifted students and provides the following suggestions: train teachers to look for gifted behaviors in different areas, use portfolios in assessments, change perceptions of innate abilities of students, recognize potential that can be developed, and recognize giftedness other than…

An account of three researchers' efforts to make sense of preservice teachers' assessment practices reveals how methodologically diverse investigations emanated from the context of a single study. Developments, findings, and warrants that characterize this inquiry are presented, as well as arguments describing this study as exploratory,…

Presents the second part of a response to the finding that there is sufficient overlap between the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) to allow the two programs to coexist. Argues that the two programs are incompatible and the two together place undue…

Addresses the notion of defining and measuring student achievement in ways that go hand in hand with educational reform efforts. Focuses on performance-based assessment, portfolios, and rubrics. (DDR)