Some of the ways authentic writing assessment can be used in education are discussed. Using the Illinois Writing Program (IWP) as an example, this digest also looks at some of the goals, solutions, and experiences of a program that is implementing authentic writing assessment. New directions in authentic assessment are aimed at going beyond…

Crisis intervention requires that the person experiencing crisis receive timely and skillful support to help cope with his/her situation before future physical or emotional deterioration occurs. This Digest provides a brief, conceptual overview of crisis intervention, and summarizes the steps a worker may use to assist an individual experiencing…

Noting that Web sites are becoming popular educational resources but that not every site makes a good resource, this Digest offers a checklist of criteria for evaluating Web sites. It lists evaluation criteria regarding: (1) technical considerations; (2) purpose of the site; (3) content of the site; (4) site authorship/sponsorship; (5)…

As the United States debates what it expects of college graduates and how to measure the achievement of these expectations, the goals of students frequently are overlooked. Goals are what individuals hope to achieve and accomplish. Currently most colleges collect information about the broad goals students hold for attending college as they enter,…

What schools should teach and what materials they should use are fundamental questions. Censorhsip of K-12 curriculum materials threatens academic freedom, diversity of thought, and other important educational values. The definition of censorship is itself the subject of disagreement. Censorship cannot be clearly distinguished from the gatekeeping…

Alternative teacher certification is defined as any significant departure from the traditional undergraduate route through teacher education programs in universities and colleges. An overview is presented of some specific alternative certification programs, and raises questions useful for evaluating alternative certification programs. A…

This Digest defines student engagement and describes various methods used to measure it, both in empirical research studies and at the classroom level. Student engagement has been defined in various ways, but it is evident that students who are engaged show sustained behavioral involvement in learning activities accompanied by a positive emotional…

Faculty compensation is a critical management tool for increasing faculty productivity, improving cost efficiency, and enhancing an institution's public image. Factors that determine faculty compensation include academic rank, faculty productivity, discipline market pay, ability to obtain external grants, seniority or length of service, service in…

This digest discusses reform in U. S. higher education. There have been many reforms in higher education in the United States, and they have been well-documented. Two profiles of recent reform initiatives are offered. One is that of student assessment, a reform movement active since the 1980s that presses all colleges and universities to measure…

In addressing the problem of assessing culturally and linguistically diverse students for special education eligibility, this brief paper organizes suggested strategies according to four principles: (1) convening a full, multidisciplinary assessment team (to include parents, educators, assessors, and a person familiar with the student's culture…

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) was established in 1987 and charged with the mission of improving the quality of teaching and public education. The National Board certification system involves three critical elements: (1) standards setting; (2) assessment instruments; and (3) professional development. This Digest…

This digest discusses types of computer applications used in science assessment; underlying assumptions that guide their roles in assessment; and issues which relate to validity, gender equity, instructional delivery, mode of user interface, and responsibility to the public. Assessment applications for computers can be broadly classified into two…

Five of the common misuses of tests are reviewed: (1) acceptance of the test title as an accurate and complete description of the variable being measured (failure to examine the manual and the items carefully to know the specific aspects to be tested can result in misuse through selection of an inappropriate test for a particular purpose or…

Textbooks may indicate the quantity and quality of subject content in a secondary school curriculum. They tend to conform to state departments of education and large local school districts' curriculum guides and to be the dominant instructional medium in high school courses. Examinations of widely-used textbooks may indicate the strengths and…

This ERIC Digest discusses science notebooks and how they can be used as a tool for increasing achievement not only in science but across the curriculum. The use of science notebooks allows students to become actively involved in their own learning and affords them the opportunity to investigate content in which they are naturally interested and…