Recommends school music departments forming video clubs where teachers can view and constructively criticize videotapes of their classroom performance. Provides a thoughtful and thorough discussion of what to include in a video portfolio and how to conduct viewing sessions. Addresses possible limitations and advantages to this system. (MJP)

Suggests ways to use ClarisWorks to motivate students when only one computer is accessible: (1) class database; (2) grade book; (3) classroom journal; (4) ongoing story center; (5) skill-and-draw review station; (6) monthly class magazine/newspaper; (7) research base/project planner; (8) lecture and presentation enhancement; (9) database of ideas…

A follow-up was conducted 10 years after a study of teacher evaluation practices in the 100 largest US school districts to determine changes since 1987. Responses from 68 districts show that teacher evaluation practices and policies at the local level usually still do not incorporate important research findings. (SLD)

Examines the role of portfolios as an alternative method of mathematics assessment in the primary grades. Defines math portfolios and their use, and proposes ideas on how to evaluate progress in classification, numbers, and spatial relationships. Suggests that use of portfolios focuses on problem solving and reasoning, and places responsibility on…

Describes a study that provided preservice teachers with laptop computers to use in a yearlong fieldwork experience in an elementary school. Topics include results of participant observations and interviews that investigated how preservice teachers used the laptops and the impact of their use; developing electronic portfolios with pupils; and…

Examined benefits, tensions, and visions that emerged when a college of education implemented college-wide portfolios. Surveys of preservice teachers, cooperating teachers, faculty, and university supervisors noted such benefits as increased reflection and skill development. There were tensions between time and worth, validity and reliability, and…

This article explains how key principles of holistic constructivism were used to revise a graduate teacher education program in behavior disorders and develop a portfolio model of evaluation, involving individualized portfolios, applied projects, collaborative work, and student evaluation, to demonstrate competency in eight areas. Three students…

As his high school restructured to improve student outcomes, a biology teacher altered the instructional environment of his classroom accordingly, emphasizing curriculum, instruction, and assessment. As he acted more like a coach than a dispenser of information, students took more responsibility for learning and improving the quality of their…

Maintains that graduates often describe student teaching as the most important part of their college education. Outlines the use of portfolios to improve student teacher performance and evaluation. Argues that it is wise to maintain a teaching portfolio throughout a teaching career. (CFR)

Examined the reliability and validity of the Work Sampling System (WSS) for evaluating the schoolwork of 100 kindergarten children. Results indicated that the WSS checklist and summary report had very high internal and moderately high interrater reliability. The WSS accurately predicted the performance of the children on a norm-referenced…

A portfolio of achievements, experiences, and reflections can help English-as-a-Second-Language teachers attain professional development goals and offer administrators greater insight for making informed hiring and job-performance decisions. This paper focuses on what teacher portfolios are, what their contents should be, and what their uses are…

Presents data from a case study that examined new technology use in teacher-education courses and investigated progress within College of Education faculty. Data from interviews, observations, questionnaires, and documents indicated that individual changes in each course resulting from technology were minimal, but when viewed across cases, the…

Draws on practices of elementary and middle schools in Washington and Oregon to demonstrate the benefits of student-led parent conferences. Discusses parent, teacher, and student attitudes toward student-directed conferences; student portfolios, projects, and presentations; one school's fall goal-setting process that sets the stage for student…

Suggests that conversations about portfolio entries offer the best opportunity to grow, learn, and enhance teaching expertise as teachers develop from beginners to experts. Portfolios have emerged as an alternative form of assessment well-suited for formative and summative assessment of self and others and for elevating the dialog about teaching…

A seminar in Idaho on creating assessment and accountability plans for charter schools presented attributes of assessments that build children's confidence and give insights into how they can improve; offered criteria for using portfolio assessments; and described how to develop objectives that are measurable. A sidebar presents a six-step plan…