Despite their richness, student portfolios and other assessment records see little use beyond the individual teacher. The current system also limits use of teacher-gathered assessments by other interested parties. For school-related decisions, standardized test scores should be considered in conjunction with teachers' assessments. (MLH)

Notes that classroom assessment of literacy is dominated by methods more appropriate to external mandates. Suggests an alternative method grounded in the teacher's professional judgment and in the relations between curriculum, instruction, and assessment. (FL)