Presents a "theory-in-action" approach to developing, facilitating, and assessing the experiences and learning of graduate students the author taught during her first year as a professor. Highlights efforts to model reflective pedagogical practices and assessments and discusses some performance assessments (such as portfolios and…

A study investigated the extent to which alternate assessment scores for 41 12th-graders in Kentucky's Alternate Portfolio Program for students with significant disabilities correlated with a measure of post-school outcomes approximately one year after completing school. No significant relationship was found between these two measures. (Contains…

Describes a two-year professional development program in which teachers used collaborative inquiry to study, develop, and use alternative and authentic assessment to improve teaching and learning. The paper examines curriculum and assessment changes teachers made, presents insights from the experience, and discusses implications for professional…

Tests in each science area were developed around six laboratory tasks. Students had to plan an investigation, collect and organize data, and formulate conclusions based on calculations and graphs. Over 1,000 students from 32 Ohio schools formed the sample for this study. Data are presented by skill and by task. An analysis for gender and school…

Gives suggestions for incorporating journal writing into mathematics classrooms and provides examples of prompts and questions to help students write. (MKR)

Presents a narrative account of an activity designed to extend the understanding of both science curriculum and alternative assessment for prospective science teachers enrolled in an advanced undergraduate course. The activity models instructional practice in a methods class. (LZ)

Discusses North Carolina's alternative assessment program for first and second grades, the process of implementation, knowledge gained from the program, and implications for implementing Standard 6 (focusing on analyzing and interconnecting teaching and learning) of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Professional Teaching Standards.…

Implications of using alternative assessments for accountability in a high-stakes testing environment (using tests to make impact decisions for students, schools, or teachers) are examined. The psychometric properties of standardized alternative assessments are discussed, and the consequences of their use are considered. (SLD)

Discusses the following questions: (1) What is hands-on science? (2) What does it mean to be engaged in hands-on science activities (HOSA)? (3) How can teachers tell good HOSA? (4) When is a good time to use HOSA? (5) What can students learn from HOSA? (6) What assessment techniques will help teachers understand what students are learning? (PR)

Reviews the increased attention to and skepticism about student assessment and standardized testing in the United States. Maintains that alternative assessment techniques such as the use of portfolios and direct assessment provide a more comprehensive evaluation of student achievement. Includes eight criteria for determining validity of…

Despite dramatic evolution during the past decade, assessment of student performance still has issues to address which present important challenges for educators and may determine whether assessment ultimately succeeds or fails. The three issues are evaluating students, applying assessment innovations (holistic scoring and portfolio assessment),…

Reasons for a national shift from traditional to alternative assessment practices are examined, and the philosophical beliefs and theoretical assumptions of traditional and alternative assessment are examined. Classroom implications of this paradigm shift for instructional strategies, formative and summative evaluation, development of rubrics used…

Reviews best practices for curricular design and instruction for students with moderate retardation and severe disabilities. Describes the benefits of alternate assessment practices such as portfolios and authentic assessment, and presents strategies for alternative assessment processes that can link best practice assumptions and can redirect…

Discusses six books that give a range of perspectives on the issues of assessment and accountability, from the use of standardized reading tests to creating student and professional portfolios. States that these books will provide teachers with the knowledge to make sound assessment decisions and with practical suggestions to document student and…

School library literature has illuminated several structural barriers (such as lack of time and role perception conflict) that impede many school library media specialists (SLMSs) from fulfilling their student assessment role in practice, and specialists have identified technology as a mediating artifact that could aide in an expansion of that…