The Computerized Inventory of Developmental Writing Traits (CIDWT) is meant to provide a valid reliable measure of program improvement, particularly for teachers implementing a process writing approach in their classrooms. While standardized tests, portfolio, and holistic scoring all have something to offer, the CIDWT is an inexpensive direct…

A three year study on assessment and grading beginning with preservice reading education teachers and continuing through their student teaching and into their first year of teaching reveals indications that instructor modeling and group work on specific instructional units for developing and using alternative assessment and evaluation procedures…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and the social studies for Grade 1 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what students should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to help…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and the social studies for Grade 2 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what students should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to help…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and the Social Studies for Grade 3 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what students should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and the Social Studies for Grade 4 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what student should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to help…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and the Social Studies for Grade 5 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what students should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and the Social Studies for Grade 6 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what students should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and the Social Studies for Grade 7 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what students should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to…

This guide to Indiana's academic standards in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and the Social Studies for Grade 8 students begins with a note to students and another note to parents. The guide spells out what students should know and be able to do in each subject, at each grade level. The guide also lists 10 things parents can do to…

This review of the Test of Early Written Language concludes that the test succeeds in identifying students who are below their peers in writing and in measuring long-term gains in written language achievement; but its format makes it difficult to document specific strengths and weaknesses and its reliability; and validity have not been…

Delineated in easy-to-follow nontechnical language, this book provides a multitude of tested informal assessment strategies and devices, such as "kid watching," retellings, journals, informal reading inventories, writing surveys, portfolios, and think alouds. The book presents more than 200 reproducible assessment devices. The book helps…

The central role of writing in Kentucky's Education Reform Act is most evident in Kentucky's new assessment system, which employs writing on all levels. Even tests that have recently included multiple-choice items may be replaced by response items that require students to apply knowledge, concepts, and skills in a writing format. Writing itself is…

Writing portfolios, which provide samples of a student's writing over a period of time, are an excellent vehicle for giving faculty a new resource for teaching students self assessment. Since the portfolios include concrete evidence of a variety of writing assignments, students also learn that writing is a developmental process. This development…

Teachers in Kentucky are using portfolios to determine strengths and weaknesses of individual students. Consequently, instruction is centered totally around the student. The implementation of portfolios sends the message to students that their first efforts should not be their last. Revision is part of improvement, and students are expected to…