In an earlier paper some of the conceptual and curriculum coherence challenges of linking practically based experiential learning with authentic attainment in high-stakes examination awards in physical education were analysed (Thorburn, 2007). Problems often existed for students in deriving subject knowledge understanding from tasks where there…

In this article, Joanna Dunlap, Jackie Dobrovolny, and David Young describe their approach to the design of a real-world learning experience that prepares online graduate students to work as e-learning designers and specialists. Using Kolb's model of experiential learning to support their instructional design decisions, Dunlap, Dobrovolny, and…

In a more consistent and viable manner than ever before, education in Alabama is moving toward its ultimate goal of providing every student with a quality education, thereby preparing them for work, college, and life after high school. Alabama's graduation rates from 2002 to 2008 increased significantly, tripling the national average increase and…

This book discusses and highlights portfolios as an alternative assessment practice in the classroom. Chapters in the book address such topics as aspects of portfolios beyond a collection of student work; what to consider when evaluating portfolios; the different types and purposes of student portfolios; issues involving management and ownership…

K. K. Waltman and D. A. Frisbie (1994) observed that teachers and parents often interpret grades given to students in both absolute and relative senses. They conclude that this sort of interpretation is illogical and may indicate misunderstandings in several areas. Absolute and relative methods of assigning letter grades are approached from…

Goal-directed performance appraisal (PA) theory includes four components: rating context, performance judgment, performance rating, and evaluation. This study focuses on the components of rating context and performance rating. For the study, the rating context was a large civil service organization that must produce documentation for attorney…

Unstable, and potentially invalid, variance component estimates may result from using only a limited portion of available data from operational performance assessments. However, missing observations are common in these settings because of the nature of the assessment design. This paper describes a procedure for overcoming the computational and…

Three mathematics scoring methods are being used or explored in large scale assessment programs: (1) item-by-item scoring; (2) holistic scoring; and (3) "trait" scoring. This study investigated all three methods of scoring on three mathematics performance-based assessments. Mathematics assessment tasks were selected from a pool of pilot tasks…

The humanities framework presented in this paper is not intended to be a state prescribed curriculum, course syllabus, or study guide. Instead, the framework discussed in the paper is designed to help local schools develop their own curricula to address their own goals as well as those of the state and the nation. An introductory section of the…

The zeitgeist for reform in education precipitated a number of changes in assessment. Among these are performance assessments, sometimes linked to "high stakes" accountability decisions. In some instances, the trustworthiness of these decisions is based on variance components and error variances derived through generalizability theory.…

This report addresses the Florida Community College System's (FCCS) performance based on measures established by the General Appropriations Act. Discussed are: (1) FCCS' performance on the measures used in the performance-based budgeting (PBB) incentive fund; (2) improvements that can be made to the PBB incentive fund; and (3) changes to community…

For years, tests have been designed to reflect the positivistic-quantitative paradigm and have been developed to ensure that children are learning the "basics." Today, a new method is emerging that utilizes assessment as an instructional tool rather than a measurement tool. Through the use of this new authentic assessment, students are allowed to…

This article describes how the author makes the story of "Don Quixote de la Mancha" come alive to fifth graders in her Spanish class. She rewrote several scenes from the novel into short plays that were appropriate to the students' interests and to their novice-high proficiency level. The author chose a combination of scenes that offer…

Discusses the nature and sources of test bias in measuring communication skills. Recommends structured performance assessment to reduce bias, contending that performance tests, if carefully administered, can be valid, unbiased methods of assessing communication skills. (PD)

Because stakeholders within and outside of the university community appear to agree that issues related to teaching, especially the relationship between research and teaching, are worthy of serious debate, this bibliographic paper is a beginning to a major policy study of performance evaluation and pedagogical accountability in Canadian…