The GALAXY Classroom is a package of integrated curricular and instructional approaches, supported by the first U.S. interactive satellite communications network designed to facilitate the introduction of innovative curricula to improve student learning in elementary schools. GALAXY Classroom Science for grades 3-5 features the organization of…

This paper is intended to assist school districts in Florida in the implementation of the 1999 Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma. First, the specific state rules related to student performance standards, course descriptions, and graduation requirements are cited. Twenty-five questions and answers present the guidelines, which address:…

Administrators are struggling to make the report cards sent home to parents more meaningful. Alternative ways to report student progress find more favor among educators than parents, as anecdotal evidence from several communities shows. Revamping attempts fail due to substantive problems with new reporting procedures or inept public-relations…

Discusses the purposes of student grades, including those driven by Individualized Education Programs. Grading options to ensure objectivity, fairness, and accountability for students with diverse needs are suggested. Types of tests available and possible adaptations are described. School districts are urged to create a grading policy that is…

This issue presents examinations of educational testing, large-scale alternative assessment, small-scale alternative assessment, and educational measurement. These discussions go beyond technical issues to provide a conceptual perspective and a view of underlying histories, theories, applications, and the uncertainties associated with these…

Describes a small-scale study of newly enrolled Open University (Great Britain) students regarding their views of nontraditional strategies for assessment and for maximizing openness through the use of questionnaires and interviews. Topics include self-assessment; peer assessment; fixed deadlines for course assignments; independent thinking; and…

This discussion of the use of expert performance as the basis for inferring assessment scoring criteria in evaluating student performance considers characteristics of experts and difficulties in use of adult expertise to evaluate student performance. The use of gifted students' performances as benchmarks is suggested as possibly providing…

This article explores some problems and recent solutions to the use of norm-referenced testing of children who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD). It describes two promising procedures to provide unbiased assessment of CLD children's language and literacy: the use of processing-dependent measures and of dynamic assessment measures.…

Offers an annotated bibliography concerning practical and theoretical considerations for two types of alternative assessment in community colleges and higher education: portfolios and capstone courses. Portfolios provide representative samples of student work and capstone courses review core concepts in a field. Cites 10 sources. (AUTH/NB)

Analyzes self-reports and site visitor reports of 300 of the nationally recognized "Blue Ribbon" elementary schools representing 1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90, and 1991-92 recognition years. Finds that more schools were using literature-based instruction, grouping flexibly, using computer-assisted instruction, providing in-class remedial…

Reports the results of a survey that asked English-as-a-Second-Language educators to define and describe academic language, give examples of students who use it proficiently in speaking and writing, discuss problems students have with it, and provide examples of how best to assess it. (CK)

The limitations of standardized tests of reading ability in young children are examined and authentic assessment alternatives, including multiple measures of student learning and the close interaction of assessment and teaching, are identified. Examples of authentic classroom assessments are detailed for emergent readers, beginning readers, and…

Describes the mission of Society of the Sacred Heart schools, Catholic schools committed to faith, intellectual values, social awareness, community, and personal growth. Suggests that the charisma of the schools' sponsoring communities be used as a measure of accountability. Discusses the schools' five-year assessment cycle and its focus on school…

Presents results from a study investigating the effects of professional training on teachers' use of observations to assess elementary students. Describes the training program and its focus on professional empowerment, strategy development for observation-based assessment, and learning the value of peer support. Reports that participants'…

Considers the possible relations among instruction, content, and assessment. Presents a rationale for and examples of demonstration-based testing activities. Highlights student performance and reaction to these assessment methods. Contains 13 references. (JRH)