Describes how to develop quality performance-based assessment tasks. Demonstrates that a change in methodology can make a considerable difference in achievement levels. Focuses on one assessment task, "You'll Get a Charge Out of This", which addresses electricity. (SAH)

With increasing emphasis on accurate assessment and accountability, computer-based testing and simulation may signify the future for teachers wishing to keep current on technology in the classroom. If career and technical education is to use new testing technology, features such as authentic assessment and criterion-based testing must be…

Describes procedures for calculating conditional standard error of measurement (CSEM) and reliability of scale scores and classification of consistency of performance levels. Applied these procedures to data from the American College Testing Program's Work Keys Writing Assessment with sample sizes of 7,097, 1,035, and 1,793. Results show that the…

Compared performances of 3,300 third graders on a performance-based writing test and a multiple choice test of writing skills. Overall, results support the view that performance-based writing assessment is relatively fair and that it measures learning tasks that are related to the school's curriculum. (SLD)

Discusses the role of performance assessment in outcome-based education. Compares the relationship and interplay between the two related paradigms and presents guidelines of assessment programs in outcome-based education. (Author/CCM)

Investigated the construct validity of the implied and theoretical structures of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III). Results using the standardization sample of 2,450 adults and adolescents indicate that the WAIS-III provides an excellent measure of the four-factor model and a general factor, but they do not support the construct…

Compared performances of third graders (n=3,300) on a performance-based writing test and a multiple choice test of writing skills. Overall, results support the view that performance-based writing assessment is relatively fair and that it measures learning tasks that are related to the school's curriculum. (SLD)

Describes several ways principals can successfully align state standards with the school curriculum. (PKP)

Two concerns related to setting performance standards on educational assessments are discussed. First, criteria for a standard-setting process from the point of view of a standard-setting sponsor, called here "institutional criteria," are developed using a state department of education as an example. Four institutional criteria are proposed: (a)…

This is the second installment of Chapter 1, "The Assessment Context," by F. Robert Sabol, from "Assessing Expressive Learning: A Practical Guide for Teacher-Directed Authentic Assessment in K-12 Visual Art Education," edited and written by Charles M. Dorn, Stanley S. Madeja, and F. Robert Sabol. [c] Lawrence Erlbaum…

Performance-based assessments allow teachers to systematically observe skills used or demonstrated by students when they create a product, construct a response, or make a presentation (McMillan 2001). These assessments are grounded in performance-based tasks that elicit students' responses in relation to the outcomes of instruction. The criteria…

The attempt to reform education using performance-based accountability may eventually be applied to teacher education. If so, it poses a potential challenge to those in social foundations as well as to other teacher-educators. Among other things, it requires that we think clearly about our mission and the kinds of effects we would like to have.…

Student portfolios are an alternative authentic assessment method that invites active student learning and provides an opportunity for instructors to tailor assessment strategies based on student-learning outcomes.

Accountability pressures influence all levels of psychology instruction. In this article we explore how to meet those pressures with integrity, focusing on authentic assessment and teaching as a primary solution. We propose a rubric to describe the progress of students' acquisition of scientific inquiry skills applied to behavior and provide an…

Evaluation and assessment are critical to the success of FLCs, and authentic assessment has the potential to contribute greatly to the quality of FLC experiences in terms of both process and outcomes. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)