Despite evidence of improved instruction, a newly elected school board has reinstated traditional graduation requirements at Littleton (Colorado) High School. Apparently, juniors who had previously earned average grades were overwhelmed or confused by the graduation portfolio and demonstration requirements. Also, assessment tasks, scoring rubrics,…

This study developed performance assessments from hands-on instructional activities and examined their reliability and validity for obtaining individual achievement data. Ethnic group comparisons indicated that Anglos scored higher, on average, than Latinos on all achievement measures. The magnitude of differences varied by curricular experiences…

The Performance Assessment System (PAS) is a portfolio-assessment mechanism used to evaluate beginning teacher performance as a function of the teacher's approach and effectiveness at increasing student learning. The development, scoring, and use of the PAS are described. (SLD)

Examined how well three measures, representing points on a traditional-alternative mathematics assessment continuum, discriminated fourth graders achieving above, at, and below grade level, and how cooperative testing affected performance assessment. Found strong discriminative validity for the more traditional measures but not for performance…

Explores gender and racial differences on two science alternative assessments, an open-ended paper-and-pencil assessment and a hands-on performance assessment. Significant differences in achievement were noted. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

The shift from multiple-choice testing to performance assessment has brought a subtle shift in measurement philosophy. Selecting assessment tasks based on inherent value complicates inferences from test scores to nontest situations. A measurement-driven reform strategy relying on performance assessments to drive curriculum and instruction seems…

Two systems of evaluation in teacher licensing are described: the quinquennial program-based licensing at a California university and annual performance-based licensing at a British polytechnic institution. The first approach, which focuses on the quality of the teacher-preparation program, is the dominant form of teacher licensing in the United…

Provides hypothesized explanations for local item dependence (LID) in a large-scale hands-on science performance assessment involving approximately 55,000 students each at grades 3, 5, and 8. Items that appear to elicit locally dependent responses require examinees to answer and explain their answers or to use given or generalized information to…

Outlines five popular alternative assessment measures that can be used to provide a multidimensional perspective of students' educational needs and enhance instructional programming, including portfolio assessment, performance-based assessment, authentic assessment, curriculum-based assessment, and criterion-referenced assessment. Guidelines for…

Considers the real authenticity of performance-based assessments, exploring their relationship to pedagogical practices that address ethnic and linguistic diversity. Describes an effort to transform English instruction and assessment in ways that draw on the cultural funds of knowledge of African-American students. (SLD)

Authentic assessment requires students to think critically while applying skills to solve real-world problems. Integrating traditional and authentic assessment can provide accurate pictures of what students know. This paper describes one elementary teacher's experiences with alternative assessment, discussing possible concerns with using authentic…

Applied the analytical judgment standard setting method to 90 papers from the 1996 Grade 8 National Assessment of Educational Progress science assessment. Compared sorting versus direct classification, long and short versions of the classification scale, and effects of discussion on cutscores. Results from 17 Georgia teachers and 8 Michigan…

Data from 77 ninth-grade Spanish students who took an objective test, a performance assessment, and a measure of perceptions of control indicate that control perceptions predict scores on performance assessments, not objective tests. Performance assessments thus reflect motivational variables beyond the constructs being tested. (SK)

In one California high school, learning to learn is a measurable outcome assessed by all students' participation in graduation by exhibition. Students must meet state requirements and demonstrate learning prowess by publicly exhibiting their skills in math, science, language arts, social science, service learning, and postgraduation planning. (MLH)

Discussion of trends in the accountability movement in higher education considers accountability versus autonomy, effects of massification, limitations of public expenditures, measuring institutional performance in the United States and United Kingdom, emerging performance-based reforms, and commonalities among performance-based systems. Notes…