This paper presents preliminary, but statistically significant, findings from a study that compares two methods of measuring instructional effectiveness: global evaluation by experts and systematic observation using the SCRIBE Ob.2 software developed at the University of Texas at Austin. Hierarchical instruction of a performance skill…

This report on professional development of English teachers discusses the Dimensions of Teaching as a basis for the judging of performance in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards [for] Early Adolescence/English Language Arts (NBPTS EA/ELA) assessment. The report focuses on how the professional literature on Models of Teacher…

This book presents essays by researchers, practitioners, and policy makers who study the impact of classroom portfolios in the assessment of writing achievement by elementary and middle-grade students. Essays in the book report on a national survey of exemplary projects and presents contributions to a Portfolio Conference held at Stanford…

This document tabulates extensive and detailed information about the assessment programs of each state. It is the third edition of the database and remains the single best source for information about the student assessments that states conduct. The database is compiled from a survey completed by state directors of assessment. The first section of…

Reading for meaning is the primary objective of reading instruction. Therefore, it is imperative that teachers focus on effective ways to instruct comprehension strategies. Concurrently, holistic assessment that is authentic, varied, reflective and ongoing is also a critical objective of reading instruction. These two objectives can be met when…

A new national assessment system could lay a solid foundation for improving schools by monitoring the effectiveness of schools and teachers and student progress toward national goals. A sound national assessment system would: (1) allow valid comparisons between schools, districts, and states; (2) provide sound data on achievement, not just…

Adult educators' philosophies of learning and teaching have a major impact on their evaluations of students. The evaluation methods used by adult educators are often incongruent with their apparent teaching-learning philosophies. Effective evaluation must be intricately woven throughout the teaching-learning process. Teachers must look at their…

This manual presents 12 guidelines to help teachers of students with mental retardation make more informed decisions about instruction by gathering and using student performance data. Development of the guidelines incorporated both teachers' recommendations and researchers' findings about what procedures work best, and guidelines were tested in…

This study investigated the impact of performance assessment on the self-efficacy of undergraduate education majors. The students enrolled in an undergraduate educational psychology course were assessed using two different methods: traditional objective exams and performance assessment through microteaching episodes. Data were collected to examine…

In the 1995-96 school year, the Memphis (Tennessee) City Schools released standards for student performance in seven content areas and began laying the foundation for a standards-based curriculum and assessment system. The steps taken to develop and implement this project are outlined as follows: (1) defining the objectives and the project scope;…

An increasing number of schools and businesses are entering into more collaborative partnerships focusing on frequent classroom interactions centered around active learning. The "Authentic Assessment Project" was developed by the Science and Mathematics Network of Central Ohio to assist teachers and business partners in designing innovative…

The design, administration, scoring, and results of the 1993 New York State Correctional Captain Examination are described. The examination was administered to 405 candidates. As in previous Sergeant and Lieutenant examinations, candidates also completed latent image written simulation problems and open/closed book multiple choice test components.…

The use of performance assessment for instruction and accountability and the support for its use provided by the school district were studied in three suburban school districts in Colorado, New York, and Illinois. Two were elementary and secondary districts, but the Illinois district was a high school district. All three districts have employed…

This document was designed to help Idaho schools with their development of a K-12 mathematics curriculum and program, and to assist in formulating some realistic goals for themselves and their students. The bulk of the document contains mathematics education standards for each of the grades K-8 and for grades 9-12 as a unit and includes goals,…

Portfolios are useful in developing a personal set of rules for good communication and for reflecting on one's performance over time. As a purposeful, interrelated collection of student work the portfolio shows student efforts, progress, and self-reflection. The article uses storytelling as a metaphor to show what portfolios are and what they can…