A model is described for teaching about death and dying with emphasis on mental health aspects. The author relates personal observations from her experience as a death educator and suggests precautions for individuals organizing thanatology courses for the first time. (AV)

This compilation provides an introduction to using scoring rubrics in the classroom. When good rubrics are used well, teachers and students receive extensive feedback on the quality and quantity of student learning. When scoring rubrics are used in large-scale assessment, technical questions related to interrater reliability tend to dominate the…

This digest describes the three most prominent approaches to essay scoring by computer: (1) Project Essay Grade (PEG), introduced by E. Page in 1966; (2) Intelligent Essay Assessor (IEA), introduced for essay grading in 1997 by T. Landauer and P. Foltz; and (3) e-rater, used by the Educational Testing Service and developed by J. Burstein. PEG…

This book presents viable alternatives to classroom grading, explaining how to design grading systems that are both precise and efficient. It provides educators with a thorough grounding in grading research and theory. After clarifying the basic purposes of grades, the book discusses what should be included in them, how to use a rubric-based…

The intent of this study was to identify predictor variables for pass/fail status on the Elementary Professional Development Examination for Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET) for preservice teachers at a university in South Texas. Logistic regression was used to investigate the dependency between the predictors and the ExCET pass/fail…

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate differential grading standards among public high schools. This study focused on documenting differential grading standards between 1998 and 2002. Five years were studied to verify that the observed differences in grading standards were not transient. Differences in grading standards among high…

What are the advantages and disadvantages of weighted grading? The primary purpose of weighted grading has been to encourage high school students to take more rigorous courses. This effort is then acknowledged by more weight being given to the grade for a specified class. There are numerous systems of weighted grading cited in the literature from…

A detailed description of and rationale for an effective tutorial method of teaching within a standard scheduling framework. (Editor)

Describes an introductory, college level speech course based on contract grading. Includes the requirements for the various grades, student reactions to contract grading, the grade contract, and a twelve item bibliography. (DD)

Discusses a random self-paced examination which is designed to increase the number of high scores by making explicit the problems to be solved. Indicates that the novel examination is a useful part of the performance-grading method, rather than the competitive-grading method. (CC)

Shorthand courses at Brigham Young University have been organized to allow individual student progress using audio equipment and cassette tapes. Grading standards have been set up according to competency levels with immediate advancement available upon completion of each competency level. An evaluation of the program is included in the report. (DS)

With a fresh kind of mix of students, faculty, and learning concepts, community colleges are breaking the seams of traditional education. (Editor)

Describes a system of self-evaluation by students designed to increase personal attention and interest in learning and to reduce uncertainty and anxiety. The system has been tested with more than 2,000 college students over a four year period. Its advantages and disadvantages are discussed. (JR)

Discusses a dual track'' approach to language learning providing emphases on reading and on multiple linguistic skills. (DD)