The purposes of this research brief were to examine (a) whether youth reports of neighborhood qualities were significantly related to census data at the block group, measuring the same structural qualities and (b) whether the structural qualities were related to youth development either directly or indirectly through youth perceptions. Data were…

In growing numbers of elementary and secondary classrooms, portfolios provide an alternative means of assessing both student and teacher progress. As students and teachers choose the components of the portfolio and become involved in their own learning and assessment, they become more reflective and more critical, thus facilitating self-assessment…

An administrative portfolio is a collection of thoughtfully selected exhibits or artifacts and reflections indicative of an individual's experiences and ability to lead and of the individual's progress toward and/or attainment of established goals. Development of a portfolio system for administrative evaluation should include: (1) considering the…

Although portfolios have gained acceptance in K-12 education, they have only recently been explored for inclusion in administrator-preparation programs. This paper describes the use of portfolios in the leadership-preparation programs at the University of New Mexico (UNM). The Ed.D program, which has been significantly modified to accommodate to…

When measures are taken on the same individual over time, it is difficult to determine whether observed differences are the result of changes in the person or changes in other facets of the measurement situation (e.g. interpretation of items or use of rating scale). This paper describes a method for disentangling changes in persons from changes in…

An educational leadership program that combines student portfolios and an educational platform as student assessment measures is described in this paper. Beginning with a brief discussion of the purposes and mechanics of portfolios and platforms, the paper then describes how these assessment measures are integrated into an educational leadership…

This study examines how self-regulatory interventions affected the biology self-efficacy of a sample of non-science majors enrolled in a Midwestern community college. Portfolio assignments and a survey instrument were used to measure the self-efficacy of college non-majors for performing biology-related tasks. Results show that the vast majority…

This study was designed as a field research project aimed at improving the method of assessing student learning at ACT Academy in the McKinney Independent School District, McKinney, Texas. Data and information were gathered and analyzed to see how the administration could improve the current student portfolio process. Reflections were completed by…

This study investigated whether a standards-based portfolio experience could exist harmoniously within a teacher education program that supports constructivism. Student and faculty interviews were conducted over a 2-year period with the results being used for continuous improvement of the portfolio assessment. The portfolio assessment uses…

This study describes a program designed to alter instructional and assessment processes in mathematics in order to increase comprehension levels and engagement in mathematics. The targeted population consists of high school students in a community located in the western suburbs of a large metropolitan area. The socio-economic status of the…

This guide describes the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification process. There are eight chapters in three sections. Section 1, "Getting Ready," includes (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Materials and Strategies" (downloading materials, developing a schedule, survival strategies, and changes…

Evaluation of student work in the visual arts is a mystery for many not involved in the process of creating and teaching art. Even for those experienced in teaching visual arts, the process of evaluation is often too subjective and lacking in formative feedback for the student. This paper describes how Process Portfolios along with clearly defined…

Designed to create and maintain an effective classroom writing workshop, this book explains how to teach young writers style and genre characteristics, composing skills, conventions, and the many aspects of the writing process itself. The second edition includes more information, models, and examples in the expository genre, as well as elaborating…

Materials to use in geography instruction and ways to evaluate student learning in geography are described. Portfolios are a good way to determine whether students have achieved the desired objectives in geography. Portfolios also require that the student be involved in both learning and assessment. For learning to use maps and globes, student…

This book is a study, in research-based narrative form, of one middle school's implementation of a new portfolio assessment plan in response to statewide policy changes in California. The book highlights the interactions of state, district, and local forces as teachers work to implement a portfolio-assessment plan that collects student work and…