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…

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…

New York State currently has three charter school authorizing agencies. Until now, their oversight has focused on performance based, contractual, and regulatory accountability. An emerging literature suggests that authorizers are reluctant to actualize the accountability/autonomy exchange by closing schools for failure to meet performance targets.…

This study explored the mechanics of using an enhanced, comprehensive multipurpose logic model, the Performance Blueprint, as a means of building evaluation capacity, referred to in this paper as performance measurement literacy, to facilitate the attainment of both service-delivery oriented and community-oriented outcomes. The application of this…

The model competency-based education assessments for mathematics have been developed in cooperation with the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM) task force for implementing National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards for Grades 1 through 8. Three types of assessment for each grade are presented. The first type of model…

This study provides a brief overview of the current status of performance funding programs around the country, and compares California's Partnership for Excellence for Community Colleges with programs applicable to two-year institutions in five other states: Florida, Illinois, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The comparative analysis…

This paper reports on a research study examining the benefits of investigations as non-traditional assessment tasks in the lower secondary school. A mathematical investigation is defined as an inquiry into a mathematical situation, the topic of which may arise from real life or a mathematically designed problem. Students are required to apply…

This report, the third in the National Center for Early Development & Learning's (NCEDL) "Spotlight" series, is based on excerpts from a paper presented during a "Kindergarten Transitions" synthesis conference in early 1998. The report addresses defining readiness for school and assessing a child's readiness for school. The report notes that…

The results of the June 2000 CLAST administration are reported in this information capsule. Results are reported for first-time examinees, retake examinees, and students earning alternatives to the CLAST requirement. During this administration period, 3,858 Miami-Dade Community College (M-DCC) (Florida) students earned an alternative in at least…

This paper is concerned with statistical issues in differential item functioning (DIF). Four subsets of large scale performance assessment data from the Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program-Revised (N=105,731; N=10,000; N=1,00; and N=100) were analyzed using three DIF detection methods for polytomous items to examine the congruence among the…