Examines the theoretical framework of psychologist Lev Vygotsky with regard to communication tools, cognition, and socio-cultural effects on these tools. Reports the results of several studies of students' word meanings of division by adapting Luria's instruments for alternative assessments. Discusses the implications of socio-cultural diversity,…

Describes a process for developing alternative assessment instruments and student responses and illustrates the use of scoring rubrics. Focus is on the student's thought processes and student performance. (AIM)

Describes how to create a rubric for portfolios which includes quantity and quality. Presents suggestions for implementing a two-tiered portfolio rubric. (RS)

Discusses alternative forms of assessing English as a Foreign Language. Particular focus is on personal-reponse and performance-based assessment, which in congruence with the learner-centered principles of new methodological approaches, treat assessment as an integral part of teaching culminating in formative evaluation. (Author/VWL)

Explains an eleventh grade literature unit on Transcendentalism which employed a wide variety of supplemental materials and literary connections and which provided alternate assessment opportunities. Details how this unit revealed meaningful connections through comics, music, free reading, and multiple intelligences. Concludes that many students…

The Hawaii Algebra Learning Project (HALP) developed a curriculum that intertwines algebraic content, instructional methods, and assessment techniques with a problem-solving focus. (MKR)

Four articles provide English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers with advice on how to ensure success with alternative assessment, having students use art and words to tell about their experiences, entertaining test review activities, and how to assess students' knowledge of expressions of gratitude. (Contains seven references.) (MDM)

Summarizes research supporting current beliefs in testing, identifies good assessment qualities, and reviews the current knowledge of test design. Standardized tests negatively affect academic program quality. Alternative assessments must be judged by their validity, reliability, consequences, fairness, generalizability, cognitive complexity,…

Describes a program intended to help students reflect on, discuss, and evaluate their reading and their accomplishments related to reading. Notes that the program uses a set of materials and procedures based on a Native American winter count (an animal hide or cloth on which the Yankton Sioux recorded important events). (SR)

Presents a variety of literacy evaluation strategies devised and implemented by a teacher who is making the transition to whole language. (MG)

Reports a survey of Arizona teachers and administrators on (1) the extent to which teachers believe that standardized achievement tests reflect the language arts curriculum; (2) student reactions to standardized tests across grade levels; and (3) perceptions of the fairness of such tests across ethnicities and socioeconomic areas. Finds that…

Reviews two recent professional publications concerning alternative assessment: "Portfolio Assessment in the Reading-Writing Classroom" and "Assessment and Evaluation in Whole Language Programs." (MG)

Testing is a technology, a socially mediated, value-laden endeavor. Technologies embody trade-offs between what is desired and real-world constraints of cost, time, thought, and energy. Although alternative assessments offer exciting prospects for middle schools, these new forms must not be misused or naively accepted as defensible, consummate…

The essential idea of alternative assessment modes is for students to create some product and reflect on it. The authenticity of tasks means using regular classroom instruction as an opportunity for student assessment. Reflective self-evaluation should be an integral part of every classroom assignment, not an obligatory afterthought. Developing…

Describes an effective interpretive and collaborative framework that one English teacher has been following for some years. Notes positive feelings about using the framework for assessment, especially summative assessment. Uses criteria which are specific to the task purpose and task audience. Notes that tasks are non-directed. (PA)