Performance assessments can provide an effective means of measuring abilities that are difficult or impossible to measure with a multiple-choice test, such as ability to communicate, solve problems, and employ critical thinking skills. Performance assessments consist of a task and a set of scoring guidelines, or a rubric. Both performance tasks…

Through the Internet, students can access information that is generally not available from print sources. Filled with hundreds of Internet learning adventures, this guide can help teachers and students go online to efficiently find the latest and most valuable information about social studies subjects for diverse projects and activities. Part 1:…

This issue reviews five publications that provide a sampling of current perspectives on the preparation of school leaders. Joseph Murphy's "Preparation for the School Principalship: The United States' Story" traces the history of leadership preparation programs in the United States from the 19th century to the present. David L. Clark's "Searching…

The last decade has been marked by experimentation with various methods of assessing teaching knowledge, skills, and abilities that are alternatives to the multiple-choice tests and loosely-structured observations commonly used. While there exists a large body of literature on multiple choice tests as a methodology, less technical information is…

This publication argues for a tripartite policy in higher education that integrates presidential and board reviews and sets out assessment policies that recognize that finding and retaining executive leadership is the board's first responsibility, that integrate presidential and board performance reviews, that make clear that the governing board…

This template is part of a series that recommends best practices and highlights problems that arise when policy deviates from these best practices. The booklet defines and outlines the critical components of a successful academic standards system using examples of good and bad standards to illustrate key points. The template addresses such…

This booklet analyzes the concept of competence in education and explores the background of this increasingly popular form of assessment. It focuses on the role of competence in four countries the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and South Africa and defines what is meant by competence. The report states that competence-based…

This guide shows organization managers how to use tests to assess skills and values in the workplace, as well as how to develop good, fair tests without needing any other resources. Part 1, chapters 1 through 5, presents basic information about tests and their practical applications. Part 2 describes the 15 steps of the testing process. The…

Direct assessment is a multifaceted assessment paradigm for the diagnosis and planning of remediation for learning difficulties. Its process is experimental in nature and includes testing-the-limits and trial teaching techniques. Its content includes behavior checklists, classroom observation systems for reading and instruction, and informal…

Presents procedures based on Rasch measurement theory for construction of an assessment network, which is defined as a system of rate and task banks. Three general classes of data collection designs are presented to calibrate an assessment network and provide the opportunity for objective and fair measurements. (SLD)

Discusses values ascribed to performance assessment and recent criticisms of assessment and suggests model-based performance assessment for remedying and avoiding these criticisms. The paper explains the merits of a systematic approach to developing performance assessments and rubrics based on general models across ages and subject areas for…

Rather than challenging grades alone, educators should question the whole assessment enterprise. The three rationales for grading (sorting, motivation, and feedback) are problematic, since they stress a demand (obligation), as opposed to a support, model. Ideas for adopting supportive assessment and avoiding grading abuses are provided. (19…

Describes development of a rubric for assessing class discussion. Discusses procedures, student roles, and assessment in a "scored discussion." Notes that students find the process to be both demanding and informing. (RS)

Discusses various ways to strike a balance between total teacher control and total student control of the assessment process in a high school American literature course. Discusses research projects, advertising flyers, newspapers, the "transcendental change plan," and the thematic mobile. (RS)

Describes the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), George W. Bush's reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Discusses ways in which the NCLB affects private religious schools, as well as offering suggestions for the ways in which Catholic schools should be addressing the changes in the law. (NB)