The purpose of this compilation of alternate assessment participation guidelines is two fold: to provide a resource for states and to establish a data source and baseline for the evolution of such guidelines. This report is primarily intended for staff of the State Departments of Education in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South…

Describes a nontraditional approach to reporting student progress via narrative report cards. The teacher-developed form used by three Tuscaloosa, Alabama, elementary schools is practically blank, allowing teachers to put student information into list or paragraph formats at nine-week intervals. Success depends on keeping communication and…

Changing views of learning in the workplace necessitate new assessment approaches. Narrative provides a vehicle for self-reflection and examination of complex realities. Related techniques are scenario building and process mapping. (SK)

Discusses the use of student-generated performance rubrics as a substitute for traditional teacher-generated three-part performance objectives. Gives three examples. (MKR)

Discusses how a chemistry curriculum can be designed using traditional classroom activities and assessments along with alternative and authentic approaches. Presents a variety of assessment and learning experiences for a first-year course in chemistry. (JRH)

Describes some ways to assess students' achievement of objectives in the Assessment Standards for School Mathematics. Suggests alternative methods of assessment that are appropriate to answer questions about connections and reasoning. Discussion is divided into two sections: (1) Assessment as Culminating Activity and Evaluation-An Example from…

Discusses the use of several alternative assessments of adults such as career portfolios, self-reports of ability, and vocational card sorts. Looks at implementation factors as well as concerns about each method. (JOW)

Discusses reform efforts in mathematics education that challenge teachers to assess traditional forms of assessment and explore and implement alternative ones. Highlights insightful perspectives on assessment strategies and techniques currently being addressed and implemented. Describes middle school mathematics teachers' experiences and…

Describes the use of monthly portfolio projects to track student progress and improve science performance in a 7th grade life science course. Students explain concepts they have learned, produce products to present what they have learned, and use the concepts to critique magazine articles, advertisements, or news stories. Provides an evaluation…

Examines six challenges that face teachers interested in developing alternative assessments of literacy: (1) clarifying goals; (2) clarifying audiences; (3) selecting and developing assessment techniques; (4) setting performance standards; (5) establishing methods of management; and (6) integrating assessment and instruction. (SR)

Examines fourth-grade students' responses to a performance-assessment task in which students are engaged in exploring data. Includes an "Eating Patterns" task. (MKR)

At one Pennsylvania school, building a model airplane is a learning experience used to assess the abilities of students with reading difficulties. Specific model-building behaviors that can be observed are gathering information, employing prior knowledge, summarizing, visualizing, predicting, self-monitoring, evaluating, measuring, calculating,…

Portfolios inform teachers and students of progress toward established goals. Offers tips for helping students create their own portfolios and suggests criteria for assessment and self-assessment. (MKR/SW)

Describes an assignment that provides an alternative to the end of the chapter test. Students instead are asked to write a chapter of the text clarifying their ideas and explaining the material in a manner that a student unfamiliar with the subject of the chapter could understand. (ZWH)

In Boston, the Urban District Assessment Consortium's accountability assessments evaluate at the school/district level. Community members participate in test development, administration, rating, and reporting. Community involvement enables consideration of multiple perspectives and equitable expectations and opportunities. (SK)