The purpose of this instrument is to supplement data from the Adult Basic Learning Examination in assessing the functional level of adults in daily situations. It may also be used as a teaching tool for adults requesting tutoring in specific concepts and skills presented in the instrument. This instrument is an informal assessment instrument and…

Performance assessment (observational assessment) can be an effective alternative to traditional paper and pencil tests when measuring academic achievement. Benefits of performance tests include: (1) testing knowledge synthesis rather than just knowlege acquisition; (2) allowing for diagnosis of individual needs and an immediate adjustment of…

Simple measures of reading, spelling, and written expression were administered to 566 elementary students from the states of Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Each child was individually administered three reading word lists, three reading passages, two dictated spelling lists, and two story starters. Approximately 25 minutes was needed for…

The literature review identifies information regarding the emergence of mobility skills in infants and young handicapped children, including rolling, crawling, creeping, and walking. Sections discuss the following topics: assessment instruments relevant to mobility, the identification of developmental milestones in mobility, and a hierarchy of the…

An approach for systematically observing and recording behavioral difference in the classroom is described, and its use with 11 behavior problem elementary students is discussed. The author points out the importance of peer sampling and the use of multiple observations to avoid erroneous conclusions. A case study of a second grade child…

This survey of recent developments in educational program evaluation is intended for persons who commission, implement, direct, or carry out evaluation studies. The attitudes of government officials, educators, and researchers toward assessment and their own evaluation needs are discussed. Various approaches to evaluation are briefly described;…

Available from: Executive and Editorial Office, 6635 East Villanova Place, Denver, Colorado 80222. Considered are the basic stages of an informal assessment model by which instructional goals for exceptional students can be planned and accountability demands satisfied. (SBH)

Analysis of data on 1,404 young children with hearing losses indicated that 80% of the children were identified via informal hearing-screening procedures, such as parental suspicion and referral. Auditory brainstem response technology provided the lowest mean identification age. The study concludes that formal screening programs are not locating…

This article presents a seven-step informal assessment procedure for evaluating the form and function of paragraph composition, useful with students who have difficulty in written expression. The procedure uses dichotomous scoring to reduce subjectivity, facilitates instructional decision making, awards points for grammatically correct sentences,…

This article presents considerations for assessing sensory issues in individuals with autism spectrum disorders as a means of gathering information useful to families and professionals in understanding children and designing intervention strategies that support success across environments. Formal assessment, informal assessment, dynamic…

This article introduces some approaches that educational practitioners can use to assess the academic skills of students with Asperger syndrome (AS), while emphasizing the need for a comprehensive assessment system involving both formal and informal assessment methods as part of educational interventions. Academic characteristics of students with…

This article reviews the varied components of written language, suggest informal means for written language assessment, and summarizes the cognitive and linguistic factors that influence varied aspects of writing performance. Two informal evaluation scales are presented that stress the interconnection between oral and written language processes.…

The transition to adult life for students with reading and writing challenges is an area that is not often addressed. The purpose of this article is to relate the informal assessment process to the broader context of high stakes assessment, high school exit exams, diploma options, and transition planning; identify the competencies needed for a…

This document discusses basic knowledge about the reading process, in order to help school psychologists make effective recommendations for educational programming. The paper begins by identifying and describing three models of the reading process, a traditional "bottom-up" model, a more emergent "top-down" view, and an interactive model which…