Given the strengths and weaknesses of previous research on second language writing, a study was undertaken to investigate the comments made by six native speaker (NS) and non-native speaker (NNS) teachers of intermediate French regarding compositions written by their students. The teachers were asked to grade a set of regularly scheduled…

The portfolio approach to teaching writing brings the writing process into the classroom and enables the new teacher--and all teachers--to see writing from a new perspective, to truly be collaborators and coaches with their students. A college writing teacher uses portfolios and plays the role of evaluator as well as the responder in three courses…

A study examined whether student-constructed grading criteria complicate or reduce teacher or programmatic standards and determined whether written criteria actually drive students' writing and revising processes. Published criteria for evaluating compositions in 22 college and university writing programs across the nation were analyzed. In terms…

This Toolkit is a guide to assessing student achievement and making students partners in the educational enterprise by clearly defining expectations for performance and letting students in on them. It is essentially about performance-based instruction and the role of student assessment in guiding and invigorating practice. This volume, Volume I,…

This study compared cooperative learning with individual learning in an introductory college electrical engineering course, using attitudinal and cognitive measures. Cooperative learning activities were implemented in homework assignments in one section of the course, while individual homework assignments were used in two other sections. A total…

This book is a practical guide to help parents understand educational assessment. It shows how good student assessment actually enhances learning, and it provides a foundation for building community support for effective practices. It offers advice about improving communication between home and school, and explains how to build strong…

Basic precepts for test development are described and explained as they are presented in measurement textbooks commonly used in the fields of education and psychology. The five building blocks discussed as the foundation of well-constructed tests are: (1) specification of purpose; (2) standard conditions; (3) consistency; (4) validity; and (5)…

This guide, primarily intended for U.S. university students who, with the aid of a study abroad adviser, wish to enroll into a Spanish university as part of a U.S. undergraduate degree program, provides information on various aspects of the system of higher education in Spain. Topics covered include: selection of the Spanish university; life and…

Evaluative criteria implicit in written comments on student writing can embody a definition of text which leads students to see text as superficial and formal instead of deep and meaningful. Students develop their perceptions of professors' values from the cues they receive via comments. A major problem, especially among faculty from different…

A guide is presented for students on the policies and practices of public and private New York colleges and universities in regard to granting credit, course waiver, or advanced standing to those who pass the College Proficiency Examinations (CPEs) and the Regents External Degree Examinations (REDEs). A chart indicates, for each institution and…

The traditional system of letter grades discourages college-bound students from taking difficult courses. Many colleges look closely at an applicant's grade point average (GPA). When a student's GPA is computed, a grade from an easy course carries as much weight as a grade from a difficult course. Since a student can achieve a higher grade with…

Written descriptions of student accomplishments should be required to supplement letter grades.

Three examinations administered to medical students were analyzed to determine differences among severities of judges' assessments and among grading periods. The examinations included essay, clinical, and oral forms of the tests. Twelve judges graded the three essays for 32 examinees during a 4-day grading session, which was divided into eight…

This paper inquires into the relationship between the criterion variable of teacher effectiveness and the independent variables of the score on the teacher evaluation procedure and the teacher demographic variables of race, sex, level of teacher certification, area of teacher certification, and years of teaching experience. The ultimate goal of…

These two brochures contain the philosophy and principles of evaluating and reporting pupil achievement (including a definition of the regular marking system) adopted by the Wichita Public Schools. Evaluating and reporting are viewed as a single process which is an integral part of the teaching/learning process. Communication with pupils and…