Although the literature on effective schools has been replete with information regarding a new paradigm for assessment, some teachers and schools have found it difficult to implement and sustain classroom practices that take them beyond testing discrete knowledge. The reasons for this struggle are as much educational as they are political.…

Those who explore the topic of leadership will soon find a consistent theme: Leaders must focus on and accept responsibility for results. The increasing emphasis on measuring results using state and national tests has led some school leaders to focus on raising test scores. Yet data is not what drives educators to change or improve. In this…

In today's schools, the pervasiveness of assessment has often distorted teaching and learning through testing, examining, and short-term memorizing. Learning to cope with examinations has become almost as important as the learning itself. This report is the third in a series of publications derived from the Centre for Educational Research and…

This booklet examines fundamental technical and implementation issues involved with large-scale, on-demand performance assessments and teacher-constructed, classroom-based performance assessments, especially for use with students who have disabilities. It discusses definitions and core concepts, outlines theoretical matters, reviews research on…

This digest summarizes principles of performance assessment, which connects classroom assessment to learning. Specific ways that assessment can enhance instruction are outlined, as are criteria that assessments should meet in order to inform instructional decisions. Performance assessment is compared to behavioral assessment, mastery learning, and…

Neosho Community College (NCC) in Kansas developed an assessment program to measure changes in student learning and progress in courses and programs. The specific objectives of student assessment at NCC are to determine readiness for regular college courses; to determine proper placement; to assist students in meeting personal objectives; and to…

Grade 2 students learn about the people who supply food for the nation. Students study about different foods and the many individuals, from the farmer to the consumer, who are involved in bringing the products to market. The unit, which should take 8 weeks to implement, is designed to help students develop an appreciation and respect for these…

This unit focuses on California's growth as an agricultural and industrial power in the 20th century and includes the impact of key people and key historic events. The unit is divided into 4 overlapping topics and should take 10 weeks to implement. Students examine how California became a power by tracing the transformation of the California…

One of the best ways to engage children in history is by involving them in activities related to their own lives' experiences. This unit gives students an opportunity to study history through a familiar and relevant topic: families. Suggested time for unit implementation is 8 weeks. Students explore family roots, traditions, and how daily life has…

Student Progress Monitoring (SPM) offers an effective and time-efficient way for teachers and administrators to make informed instructional decisions and quantify students' rate of progress. SPM differs from traditional standardized tests in that it involves administering short tests (typically one to five minutes) frequently, usually one or more…

This guide offers teaching models based on the theory of multiple intelligences (MI) and applies these models to the design of lessons that address the unique learning needs of all students. The first chapter makes the case for integrating MI into the curriculum. The second chapter describes the capacities of the various intelligences. Chapters 3…

A study examined racial/ethnic and gender bias on curriculum-based measurement (CBM) of reading with African-American and Caucasian male and female regular education students across grades 2-5. Simultaneous multiple regression analyses were conducted by grade to examine group differences on CBM as an estimate of reading comprehension. Regression…

After the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into practice, states were required to implement stringent accountability systems including standards-based reform efforts and annual testing of students. Academic content standards define what students should know for each subject at each grade level and annual state assessments assess students'…

A pilot test of 700 students in grades three, four, and five, investigated the reliability of curriculum-valid mathematics survey tests. The development of the test and the taxonomy of curriculum analysis that was beneficial in test construction is described. Results indicate the effectiveness of the test. (CR)

Analyzes the current state of mathematics assessment as applied to individuals with learning disabilities. An overview of the development of mathematics assessment is provided and specific strategies for conducting math evaluations are described, including portfolios, criterion-referenced tests, curriculum-based measurement, observations, and…