Discusses the place of authentic assessment in science education and presents one strategy, the Views on Science Technology and Society instrument, for helping teachers understand the extent to which students have achieved the complex learning that modern curricula demand. (11 references) (MKR)

There is renewed emphasis on student assessment in adult literacy. Popular methods are instructor-made tests and performance assessment through observation, portfolios, writing samples, audio- and videotapes, and collaborative projects. (SK)

The Cherry Creek (Colorado) Schools opted for the research assessment as being much more indepth than report writing, which calls up plagiaristic tendencies in many elementary school children. Assessment tasks must be engaging and encourage students to evaluate themselves against predefined standards. Administrators must help teachers develop a…

An integrative and critical review is provided of the guidance available for conducting validity inquiry in the context of performance assessment. Reviewed studies focus on philosophical underpinnings and practical guidelines for conducting validity inquiry. Sections describe the emerging consensus on validity inquiry, components of validity…

Presents an interim vision of a performance assessment model for middle schools that is built on a culture of high expectations, internal accountability, and rites of passage expressed in student portfolios. Despite problems with portfolio work, all students and teachers must have ongoing experience with demanding tasks and high standards. Test…

Terms such as "authentic,""performance-based," and "portfolio" are being used to label assessment approaches that purport to examine student performance as it relates to curricular goals and instructional techniques. This research digest reviews six articles on these assessment approaches, highlighting purposes,…

Discusses two ways candidates may earn the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential: the CDA Professional Preparation Program (CDA P3), a comprehensive, one-year, postsecondary training program; and Direct Assessment, the route most often followed by CDA applicants, which evaluates the overall competence of candidates based on applicants'…

Criteria to guide classroom assessment practice are determine the extent to which assessment practices are based on tasks and activities that are representative of instructional intention and translate into specific information collection, interpretation, evaluation, and reporting procedures; address the accuracy of the assessment; and consider…

A diagnostic assessment system--based on performance specifications of the American Association of School Administrators' National Executive Development Center concerning instructional leadership for superintendents and assistants--was field tested with over 250 executives and evaluated using 89 executives. Data support continued use of the 42…

A triad of conceptual, human relations, and technical domains is proposed as a basis for effective performance evaluation systems in education. Systems incorporating the relevant issues in this triad address a fundamental rule of performance evaluation: if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well. (SLD)

Presents logistic discriminant analysis as a means of detecting differential item functioning (DIF) in items that are polytomously scored. Provides examples of DIF detection using a 27-item mathematics test with 1,977 examinees. The proposed method is simpler and more practical than polytomous extensions of the logistic regression DIF procedure.…

This article offers an overview of educational reform and outlines its implications for gifted African-American students. The lack of attention to equity issues in reform reports is documented and prerequisites for success in educational reform are cited, such as performance-based assessment and site-based management. (JDD)

Describes a composition teacher's efforts to diagnose her vocational college students' literacy skills by using a more authentic performance assessment that integrates reading and writing. (SR)

After the Kentucky Supreme Court declared Kentucky's educational system unconstitutional, the state launched a unique, comprehensive restructuring effort. Top-down state education department reforms include development of world-class curriculum standards, a statewide authentic assessment system, and a school accountability system linking sanctions…

An alternative vision of assessment for technology teacher education views assessment as an essential activity conducted by teacher educators to improve teaching and learning rather than to support accreditation and teacher licensure decision making. (Author)