This document outlines the performance standards for music in North Dakota public schools, grades K-12. Four levels of performance are provided for each benchmark by North Dakota educators for K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 grade levels. Level 4 describes advanced proficiency; Level 3, proficiency; Level 2, partial proficiency; and Level 1, novice. Each grade…

The standards in this document are intended to provide every student in North Dakota's public schools with a set of skills that will enable him or her to participate in lifelong leisure, avocational, or professional music pursuits. To help all students achieve the standards outlined in the booklet, North Dakota educators must continue to ensure…

This study investigated cognitive constructs to be measured by word problems in algebra. One performance-based assessment was administered to 290 high school students. Students' responses were scored by three scoring systems: the correct/incorrect criterion (0/1); a holistic scoring rubric (0-4); and an analytical scoring rubric for measuring…

This article provides an historical perspective on current interest in alternative assessment in the United States and identifies critical qualities that good assessment should exemplify. The paper then reviews research results regarding the technical quality and consequences of using this new form of assessment for large-scale accountability…

This study analyzed the implementation of a teacher performance appraisal process that encourages self-directed learning (SDL), highlighting the extent to which teacher efficacy (TE) influenced the its success. The study also examined whether lack of readiness for SDL was an implementation obstacle. Finally, it noted other barriers and obstacles…

This paper reports on the progress of a Nevada Teacher Enhancement grant, Reinventing Teacher Preparation and Licensing through Performance-Based Reform in Nevada, toward meeting its stated goals in the first year. The goals are: (1) Nevada will use performance-based licensing for licensing teachers; and (2) Nevada will have National Board of…

A task force appointed by the governor developed Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards to encourage a higher level of learning for all public school students. The standards describe the skills children should have and the things they should know by the end of grades 4, 8, and 12. Every subject is divided into content standards that tell what…

Performance assessment tests have been problematic, and states that have experimented with them have had poor results. The tests have been implemented prematurely and before being adequately researched, which has resulted in problems related to test validity and scoring, student bluffing on answers, high failure rates, accuracy, and student…

Compared portfolio, performance, and traditional assessments of sixth graders. Found that authentic measures and self-evaluations were weakly correlated with or independent of performance grades and standardized test scores. Academic motivation was more predictive of traditional than authentic measures. Forty percent of students performed better…

The authors of a report on the technical adequacy of alternative reading measures reflect on issues concerning "whole language" terminology, the use of both quantitative and qualitative measures, and instructional decision making. (DB)

The author and a colleague developed the Administrator/Teacher Alliance at California State University, Los Angeles. There were three key planning goals: maintaining integrity of course goals and objectives, developing relevant performance-based assessments, and designing authentic assessment activities that would maximize opportunities provided…

Describes how changes in Indiana's licensure have affected one university's elementary education department, focusing on: the change to performance-based standards and assessment; performance assessment using exit portfolios; and lessons learned. The goal is to bring the program in line with the new Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support…

Whether differences in mean scores among gender and racial/ethnic groups on science performance assessments are comparable to those for traditional tests was studied with 2,000 students in grades five, six, and nine. Overall, results suggest that the type of test has little effect on these differences in scores. (SLD)

Presents 10 principles for beginning mathematics teachers based on the standards of the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC). A main product of the INTASC Performance Assessment Development Project (PADP) is the use of a portfolio-based teacher assessment which includes lessons focusing on one mathematical topic,…

Given the limited use of social competence assessments by teachers, this article briefly reviews three assessment strategies for preschool children, developmental and curriculum-based assessment, direct observation, and peer relations and friendship assessment. A modified performance-based assessment of peer-related social competence is…