A multidimensional approach to assessment of children with learning difficulties is examined. The approach explores factors along five dimensions: (1) learner characteristics (motivation, social-emotional maturity, cognitive abilities and styles); (2) task-based contributors (match of tasks to maturational levels and to cognitive style); (3)…

Reviewed are such techniques as classroom observation, using criteria for success in educational prescriptions, and plotting daily performance for evaluating the severely disturbed child. Included are such materials as a sample diagnostic test schedule, a paper on observation procedures, and graphs for recording behavior. (SBH)

Two teachers have developed a procedure for grading student compositions that seems fairer to both them and their students. The students are given a choice of which papers they wish to submit for grading, and when they do submit work, the papers are identified by a number only (chosen by the student and indexed in a class card file). Each teacher…

Alternative approaches to the assessment of language minority students are considered. A comprehensive assessment of the limited English proficient (LEP) student is said to cover the following components: cognitive development, learning proficiency or rate of learning techniques, social adaptation, language assessment (expression, reception,…

The paper describes a "mini-assessment" designed to help teachers understand the nature and extent of students' learning problems. A distinction is made between children with reading problems due to neurological differences and those with problems due to emotional, educational, or cultural factors. The importance of identifying and referring the…

The paper suggests informal and formal procedures for evaluating students whose primary language is not English. The importance of detailing the student's educational history and of understanding the community setting is noted. The native language should be used to gather this and other informal data, and translators should be trained in cultural…

A study was made to determine the procedures which supervisors and instructors of counseling practica currently use to evaluate the counseling effectiveness of masters and doctoral level practicum students. Inquiry was also made about the solutions adopted when a student is considered ineffective. The survey elicited responses from 89 individuals,…

The paper discusses the teacher's use of such informal techniques as observation and checklists to detect students' particular instructional or behavioral needs, to detect areas of strength or weakness, and to formulate remedial programs. (Author/SBH)

Thomas A. Angelo and K. Patricia Cross have developed strategies for assessing classroom teaching effectiveness at the college level. The assessments are generally ungraded activities which focus on current course work. This paper examines the following assessment activities within the context of teaching and technology: (1) "Muddiest…

Guidelines for the supervisor's role in improving teachers' assessments of their students are offered in this paper. Suggestions for improving formal assessment are provided first, with attention to the various types of formal tests, general test design, and grading procedures. Ways to informally monitor students' learning processes are briefly…

Techniques are proposed for informally assessing oral communication skills in learning disabled adolescents. A feedback sheet uses direct observation by the teacher while the self-rating scale uses an indirect form of observation by the student. Theoretical premises of the two measures are noted. The Communication Feedback Sheet is designed to…

Most English teachers probably find it difficult to develop a grading system that takes into account the problems of individual students and that effectively communicates to students the quality of their work. Educators have been experimenting with written grading systems since the first system, one of predetermined adjectives, was used at Yale…

A portfolio is a folder assembled by the learner, containing samples of the learner's work collected over a period of time. The kinds of items reflect the nature of the course content. Each individual who decides to use a portfolio approach must develop unique expectations, guidelines for content, and assessment criteria suitable for the purpose…

The ratings of 43 third-year medical students were used to investigate a method of computing the reliability of ratings. The students were evaluated on a four-point rating scale along seven dimensions of clinical ability: diagnostic ability; motivation; sense of responsibility; oral-verbal ability; effectiveness with patients; ability to take a…

The paper describes principles and procedures of naturalistic assessment as practiced in the Schaumberg Early Education Center (SEEC), a preschool setting for handicapped children. It is explained that a multidisciplinary team observes and interacts with students in an environment that encourages play and spontaneity. The SEEC screening procedure…