The purpose of this paper is to enumerate a series of security steps that might be taken by those individuals or organizations that are contemplating Web-based tests and performance assessments. From a security viewpoint, much of what goes on with Web-based transactions is similar to other general computer activity, but the recommendations focus…

Causes of local item dependence in a large-scale performance assessment were studied using data from the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program. Contextual characteristics (content and response requirements) were identified to differentiate locally independent and dependent item clusters. Hypothesized explanations are offered for high…

Describes a new managerial approach to assessing public relations/communications (PR/C) performance using a "balanced scorecard." Reviews the current state of PR/C management assessment; illustrates the balanced scorecard framework; highlights its strengths and weaknesses; describes the process of applying the scorecard to PR/C units;…

Investigated sex differences in response to evaluative feedback among bank employees going through the annual performance evaluation process. Surveys of employees before and after their face-to-face evaluations indicated that men's self-esteem was relatively unaffected by the nature of the feedback, while women's slightly improved after positive…

A consistent finding of teachers using authentic assessment is how much they learn from the process and their students. Authentic assessment depends upon independence, mastery of content, and a willingness to engage students in real-life experiences. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/JOW)

Describes several lessons learned from the design and implementation of a performance-measurement system required by the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. For example, very complex systems of performance measurement can compromise the quality and quantity of data obtained. Makes several recommendations to improve the quality of such…

Performance assessment was once the only method of educational evaluation; then multiple-choice tests proliferated. Renewed interest in assessment brings these cautions: (1) use for most critical outcomes; (2) use technology; (3) involve students as raters; (4) note student behaviors; and (5) restrict to program-level indicators. (SK)

Successful accounting graduates will need to possess a broad range of relevant competencies; therefore, teachers must be sure that each graduate possesses the competencies business wants. Using alternative performance assessment techniques will help meet that goal. (Author)

Studied reducing the number of slides submitted by candidates taking the histology technician examination of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Results from 145 candidates show that slides can be reduced from 15 (with coverslipping and block preparation scores) to 9 without affecting the mean ability level of candidates and only a…

A Texas science academy offers a technology course in which the entire grade is based solely on a single project. Grades are based on student-made products, documentation of how they were created, and presentations before a panel of engineers. (Author/JOW)

Presents an overview of linking methods applied to performance assessment and discusses major issues and recent developments in linking performance assessments. Compares three common linking designs and two major linking methodologies (classical and item response theory (IRT)). Describes two classical equating methods and several IRT equating…

Reviews relevant aspects of generalizability theory related to performance assessments and discusses the role of various facets in assessing the generalizability of performance assessments. Also considers some popular estimates of reliability for performance assessments from the perspective of generalizability theory. (SLD)

Studied the use of SERVPEFR the performance component of the Service Quality Scale (SERVQUAL) in 2 studies involving 113 and 212 customers of businesses in Australia and investigated a revised (extended) version of SERVPEFR with 122 customers. Results suggest that SERVPEFR items are too easy to rate highly, and that the revisions did not overcome…

Each Rasch (Masters) partial credit item can be expressed as the sum of independent Rasch binary items and Rasch (or Masters) indecomposable trinary items. If each trinary item is then expressed as the sum of two binary items, the binary items are positively dependent and cannot be both Rasch types. (SLD)

Describes performance indicators (PIs) as conceptual technologies that shape the issues academics think about and how they think about these issues. Explores the normative assumptions embedded in the PIs of higher education in Alberta, Canada, to yield an initial typology of assumptions academics can apply to PIs in higher education to refine or…