Medical Microbiology is a content-intensive course that requires a large time commitment from the students. Students are typically biology or prenursing majors, including students headed for professional schools, such as medical school and pharmacy school. This group is somewhat diverse in terms of background science coursework, so it can be…

Richard E. Snow, working from his new aptitude theory, advocated a multidimensional approach to validating the construct of academic achievement. This report briefly describes Snows recommended approach and then summarizes new evidence from recent studies in terms of three related themes: (1) multidimensionality of science achievement; (2)…

Suggests ways to analyze and modify typical classroom tests that are objective, easy to implement, and in accordance with the types of changes and recommendations being discussed to improve assessment. Sections include Criteria for Analyzing Classroom Tests; Modifying Test Items; Needed Steps; Cautions; and Conclusions. Uses actual classroom test…

Rejects grading student journals. Describes various approaches to journal writing evaluation the author used with her students and approaches used by her professors when she returned to school. Questions the educational process of grading student journals. Discusses how to create real dialog. (RS)

Describes how children's understanding of science concepts can be assessed through interviews. Analyzes data from interviews using categories and criteria that have been chosen to indicate the extent of a child's knowledge and quality of knowledge. Describes methods of interviewing and analysis. (JRH)

Investigates whether student interviews provide teachers with a more detailed, accurate, and complete picture of children's mathematical understanding and whether this knowledge helps teachers improve the way they teach mathematics. Shows how to use student interviews as a guide to further instruction. (KHR)

Explored staff and student perspectives on two types of assessment, a closed- book examination and an end-of-course project, used in two United Kingdom Open University courses. Found that synopsis and motivation are valued by students (especially undergraduates) as benefits of closed-book examinations. (EV)

Presents alternative assessment tools, including concept maps, initial and summary assessments, Vee diagrams, and three types of alternative learning activities that assess different levels of understanding. (MKR)

Describes the incorporation of audio-taped notes about student work, a rubric for scoring aspects of students' problem solving, and student portfolios in a program of classroom assessment. (MKR)

Demonstrates how instruction in writing paragraph proofs can be developed and implemented including organizing, writing proofs in paragraphs, evaluating a proof, sketching a proof, and drawing conclusions. (MKR)

Describes the need for the standardization of portfolio evaluation procedures. Discusses the problems involved with evaluating portfolios at Mount Vernon High School and how interviewing students helped to provide a fuller vision of student writing for the instructors. Asserts that portfolios are more valuable when kept in the hands of writers.…

Considers what is meant by alternative assessment and why it is a feasible option. Discusses what needs to happen in professional associations, communication departments, and classrooms to support the development of alternative assessment. (SR)

The president of the University of California proposes that colleges and universities abandon their use of the SAT I in assessing applicants, and several other higher education officials respond. (EV)

Describes an incident involving the author, his daughter, and sample items from a Standards of Learning (SOL) assessment. Elaborates on the author's increasing confusion with SOL assessments, especially in reading. Proposes that educators spend less time testing kids and more time "testing their theories" so that assessments better reflect recent…

Describes Nebraska's School-Based, Teacher-Led Assessment and Reporting System (STARS), whereby local districts are required to develop plans to assess students against state standards. Districts are held accountable for the quality of their formative assessment programs following guidelines provided by the state. Plans must include a…