This article presents an interview with Professor Ralph W. Tyler (a pioneer in the field of education and assessment) that lends some historical perspective to the current alternative assessment movement. After highlighting Tyler's contributions, the article provides six caveats on assessment, then reflects on Tyler's work. (SM)

Describes the evolution of preservice teacher technology courses at the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO). Highlights include technology integration; student teaching requirements; student attitudes about technology; revised curricula that include state and professional organization technology standards, performance-based assessments,…

Discusses the need for educational environments that allow for authentic learning. Shows how the Internet enables practice in which students are able to manipulate concepts for the sake of getting things done and receiving feedback regarding how well the application of an understanding worked. Provides examples of three learning activities on the…

Discusses the roles of testing and assessment in meeting real academic goals in standards-based reform, arguing that performance-based alternative assessment has advantages over high stakes testing. To help teachers design appropriate alternative assessment, the paper offers suggestions on what they should know and be able to do according to the…

Describes how Florida State University used the Salary Model, a menu-driven software package that allows administrators to compare activities of one faculty member to others. Discusses several theoretical and pragmatic concerns that should be addressed when using the program. (MM)

Describes the Child Development Associate program, administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. (BB)

Research on what is known about the use of collaborative performance appraisal to enhance the professional growth of teachers was reviewed, and a survey was conducted of the views of 152 administrators and teacher supervisors about collaborative performance assessment. Alternatives for policy and practice suggested by the findings are discussed.…

Parental attitudes about standardized tests and performance assessments were studied through interviews with 60 parents or parent dyads in schools involved in a project to develop new assessments and through questionnaires completed by parents from control schools. Parent approval of standardized tests did not imply disapproval of performance…

Random samples of free-response tests (200 males and 200 females) were taken from the 1986 U.S. History advanced placement examination. Rescoring focusing on historical content and analyses indicate that free-response tasks, in contrast with objective tests, may have inherent characteristics that reward females' English-composition abilities. (SLD)

Reports some of the results of an endeavor by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to evaluate the science teacher preparation programs of institutions seeking accreditation with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1988. Discusses the potential for the future of NSTA participation in NCATE. (LZ)

Major changes underway with regard to educational assessment include an increased role for the federal government; increased emphasis on standards; and increased reliance on performance assessment. These changes are the context for the effort to revise the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing." (SLD)

This guide to authentic assessment strategies for teachers of students with and without disabilities explains how to incorporate authentic assessments into everyday practice, including observation techniques, anecdotal records, error analysis, miscue analysis, "think-alouds," self-evaluation questionnaires and interviews, journals and learning…

Presents a review of Joan Barickman's book, "Schoolwise: Teaching Academic Patterns of Mind," which emphasizes performance-based student evaluation and portfolio assessment. Concludes that the book can help provide concrete ideas for positively altering teaching processes and for making learning more engaging for students and teachers.…

Shares some lessons learned from performance-based assessment in the health professions, using four performance-based assessment methods as examples: (1) written clinical simulations (patient-management problems); (2) computer-based clinical simulations; (3) oral examinations; and (4) standardized patients (live simulations). (SLD)

Teacher effectiveness can be evaluated by traditional performance-based evaluation, though that method has some limitations. Alternative approaches to teacher evaluation include student evaluation of teacher performance and portfolio assessment. The Tuckman Teacher Feedback Form is presented as a more effective self-improvement system than a…