Describes and evaluates a holistic resocialization program used by the Texas Youth Commission that has been integrated into the state's education, treatment, and correctional programs for incarcerated youth. Goals of the program are to help ensure that the youth can generalize the skills they gain through these processes to situations outside the…

Discusses the transformation from traditional evaluation practices to those associated with authentic assessment at Georgia's Augusta State University, focusing on the negotiation of shifting boundaries. One former student shares the philosophical background that she developed prior to entering a middle-grades reading class, elaborating on how the…

Presents an instrument for measuring, comparing, and evaluating public relations internship programs consisting of a series of 10 value judgments as to what is optimal in public relations internships: student autonomy; public relations broadly defined; student responsibility; flexibility; limited faculty involvement; appropriate credit; internship…

Evaluated the effect of the League of Professional Schools, a democratic reform in Georgia, using performance measures from the state's educational performance measurement system. Performance of League schools was positive relative to several performance standards, but it was not possible to demonstrate that the League was a necessary component of…

The phasing out of the Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument (TPAI) in Georgia is described, with particular attention to litigation involving a teacher who lost her certificate after failing the TPAI. Other reasons for phasing out the TPAI are discussed. (SLD)

It is argued that interrater agreement is a psychometric property which is theoretically different from classic reliability. Formulas are presented to illustrate a set of algebraically equivalent rater agreement indices that are intended to provide educational and psychological researchers with a practical way to establish a measure of rater…

Discusses answers to teachers' questions about portfolio assessment, including: definition of portfolios and portfolio assessment, its apparent advantages and weaknesses, data to be included in portfolios, how portfolios are assessed, whether they are valid and reliable, how portfolio assessment is being used, how it fits with performance…

This introduction to authentic assessment portfolios for special needs children considers the purpose of the portfolio, types of items appropriate for the portfolio content, and criteria for evaluating the portfolio. (DB)

Argues that the debate on whether to use performance-based versus prescriptive measurement approaches to environmental measurements is unnecessary. Believes that, as project managers gain more experience using data-quality objectives, the performance-based approach will become more popular. (MDH)

Examines the validity of claims that concept maps measure an important aspect of students' knowledge structures. Provides a working definition of concept mapping and a brief theoretical background, characterizes concept maps as a potential assessment in science, reviews empirical evidence on the reliability and validity of various concept mapping…

Describes class activities and a summative authentic assessment for a first-semester high school French class. Describes the new paradigm of authentic learning and authentic teaching in use at this high school and its results. (SR)

The application of multilevel data analysis as a method for assessing and improving principal performance evaluation is demonstrated. The demonstration used the theoretical domains of principal performance-based leadership proposed and tested by R. Heck, T. Larsen, and G. Marcoulides (1990) as a basis for developing an evaluation approach. (SLD)

Explores the performance of n=142 high schools students at the 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science test who are enrolled in a project based science (PBS) program as compared to a national sample of students. Recommends using inquiry-based approach such as PBS to implement reform in schools. (Contains 32 references.)…

Compares state policies with accountability provisions of the newly reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (PKP)

Develops a conceptual framework that addresses score comparability for performance assessments, adaptive tests, paper-and-pencil tests, and alternate item pools for computerized tests. Outlines testing situation aspects that might threaten score comparability and describes procedures for evaluating the degree of score comparability. Suggests ways…