This publication presents a comprehensive overview of one of the most profound shifts in educational policy and practice that has occurred during the 20th century--the transition from a testing culture to an assessment culture--and discusses its implications for English language learners (ELLs). The document brings together a wide range of…

This study examined the generalizability and dependability of a performance-based assessment in algebra. Four forms of a five-item test were constructed using different subsets of eight items based on attributes from task analysis. Subjects included 142 "algebra 2" students from 2 high schools in the Midwestern United States and 148 11th…

This paper investigates the joint effects of intrinsic and extrinsic goals on college students' learning in an introductory psychology course, a biology course, and several social science courses. The study questioned whether higher levels of motivation lead to better student performance. College students were surveyed using the Intrinsic Goal…

This videotape presents the keynote speeches of the 1997 Hawai'i Literacy Hui conference on the theme of "Changing Lives, Building Communities." Featured in the videotape are two speeches: Linda Darling-Hammond's "The Right To Learn and Teach: Towards Democratic Education," in which she discusses how authentic assessment in the context of the new…

Increasingly, out-of-school time programs are being asked to provide data that documents their progress and demonstrates their results. But for many OST programs and their over-worked staff this added responsibility is the "straw that broke the camel?s back." Across the country there is a cry from programs for help in deciding what to measure and…

Explains the relationship of two Public Library Association publications concerning measurement of public library service: "Performance Measures for Public Libraries" (1973) and "Output Measures for Public Libraries: A Manual for Standardized Procedures" (1982). The importance of data collection methods is noted in discussing…

Discusses how seniority rules in teachers' contracts have affected the performance of public education during the last 10 years of decreasing enrollments and growing power of teachers' unions. The merits of alternative types of employment contracts are considered. (Author/RH)

Outlines behavioral attributes identified by the Reference and Adult Services Division of the American Library Association that can be correlated with positive patron perceptions of reference librarian performance: approachability, interest, listening/inquiring, searching, and follow-up. This will assist in the training, development, and/or…

Gender-related differential item functioning (DIF) was examined in a context in which 3,946 middle school students received mathematics instruction focusing on problem solving. Reasons why four tasks on the performance assessment favored female students and two favored male students are discussed. (SLD)

Literacy portfolios were studied in two different schools (Washington and Hawaii) with four teachers from each representing primary and intermediate grades. Results suggest that portfolios contained authentic artifacts of students' literacy experiences, although a substantial amount of evidence was judged to be missing from the portfolios. (SLD)

Mandating portfolios on a systemwide or statewide basis may destroy one of their greatest assets: allowing students to reflect on their learning and feel a sense of hope and control. Once standards are defined by an outside authority, teacher-student collaboration is minimized and the importance of students' own goals and learning assessment…

Asserts that as the demand for authentic, standards-based assessment of teacher performance grows, teacher educators need to develop new tools to record and organize evidence of successful teaching. Electronic portfolios that document professional growth, reflective practice, and demonstrated competencies on set standards or principles can be such…

The coordinated use of performance-based assessment and curriculum-based assessment is explored. Criteria are suggested for evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each assessment method, and a framework for integrating the two methods is proposed. Specific recommendations are given for use with students having learning disabilities. (CR)

This paper explores assessment issues that are problematic in a performance-based subject in a school-based assessment context, that of secondary school physical education in Queensland (Australia). A strength of the program has been its movement toward authentic assessment characterized by relevant tasks. (SLD)

Proposes a novel methodology that employs Bayesian network software to assist teachers in efficiently deriving and utilizing the student model of activity performance from Web portfolios online. This system contains Web portfolios that record in detail students' learning activities, peer interaction, and knowledge progress. (AEF)