Argues that there is a need for further theoretical development regarding formative assessment, which needs to take account of disciplinary epistemology, theories of intellectual and moral development, students' stages of intellectual development, and the psychology of giving and receiving feedback. Sketches the direction this development might…

Examines focus groups from a performance technology perspective, describes the focus group process, and discusses uses and misuses. Suggests that due to the depth and accuracy of insights revealed, focus groups have potential to aid performance technologists in their analyses of performance deficiencies as well as their formative and summative…

Reviews research on six theoretical propositions central to psychodynamic psychotherapy: (1) establish an alliance; (2) patient displays central relationship theme (transference); (3) transference interpretations are helpful; (4) therapist interprets transference; (5) patient gains self-understanding; and (6) patient's improvement is reflected in…

Discussion of formative evaluation focuses on the history of its use by behavioral psychologists, and refutes the notion that it is a new idea. Names that have been used for the evaluation process are reviewed, and examples of formative evaluation in a variety of settings are given. (11 references) (LRW)

Discussion of instructional design models and the use of experts focuses on cultural experts in cross-cultural educational settings. Responsibilities and roles of the cultural expert are described; and involvement throughout the design process is discussed, including involvement at the classroom and institutional levels. (12 references) (LRW)

Notes that publication of special section of eight qualitative studies marks growing recognition of contribution that qualitative research can make to counseling field. States that researchers of eight studies used adaptation of grounded theory method and that theories generated are positively evaluated with constructivist criteria. Suggests that…

Offers a detailed discussion of competitive assessment, an efficient and cost-effective method to evaluate competitive products. Describes its three phases: numerical scoring, building a best-of-breed model, and determining the gap between the best-of-breed model and another product. (SR)

Reviews the traditional formative evaluation model used by instructional designers; summarizes Kirkpatrick's model of evaluation; proposes the integration of part of Kirkpatrick's model with traditional formative evaluation; and discusses performance-context formative evaluation. (three references) (LRW)

Evaluation of reading performance is influenced by perceptions of what constitutes reading. Both product (testing of discrete thinking skills) and process (metacomprehension) information is needed to understand and improve reading comprehension. (SK)

This article is concerned with the relationship between assessment information and teacher planning. In the UK, although planning used to be central to characterizations of formative assessment, the most recent government proclamations under the Assessment for Learning banner offer no clear role for teachers making decisions about what to do based…

School districts worried about how students will perform on end-of-the-year state tests are increasingly administering "benchmark assessments" throughout the year to measure students' progress and provide teachers with data about how to adjust instruction. Nearly seven in 10 superintendents surveyed for "Education Week" said…

Highlights key factors in learning careers, particularly in relation to the impact of formative assessment practices. Relates research findings on formative assessment in primary and further education to studies which use Pierre Bourdieu's notions of habitus, field, cultural and social capital to explore learning careers and learning identities in…

This study reports the preliminary results from a field test of the College-readiness Performance Assessment System (C-PAS), a large-scale, 6th-12th grade criterion-referenced assessment system that utilizes classroom-embedded performance tasks to measure student progress toward the development of key cognitive skills associated with success in…

Examining the implementation efforts associated with NCLB mandates and policies can help educational leaders frame their associated school responses and actions to better meet the challenges set forth by the federal legislation in meeting the needs of their local student populations. This study addressed the question, "How are middle school…

This document is one of eight reports prepared to support the development of a new learning system, a development effort that is the first step in a major initiative undertaken by the Stupski Foundation. This report synthesizes recent research and theoretical literature on effective pedagogy for the Stupski Foundation's 2009 initiative of…