This topical bibliography and commentary addresses methods of alternative, or informal, assessment that have proven effective, and how these methods have been, or can be, established as reliable alternatives to standardized testing. It discusses authentic assessment, forms of alternative assessment (unstructured written activities, unstructured oral activities, and structured activities), and reliability of alternative assessments. It concludes that as teachers learn how to measure authentic assessment techniques "consistently and accurately" parents and administrators will gain a greater sense of confidence with alternative assessment methods. Contains 10 references and annotated links to 2 Internet resources. (RS)