This paper is the report of a year-long study of a mathematics teacher's attempts to document her observations of students. One goal of the project is to determine whether it is feasible for a teacher to keep a record of informal assessments such as observations and interviews. Another goal is to determine how useful such information could be to…

This book provides a guide for early childhood educators in implementing and using portfolio assessment to measure children's learning. Chapter 1 focuses on, "How Young Children Learn." It explains that children are active learners who learn by doing things repeatedly, by making mistakes, and by being exposed to varying approaches,…

This paper describes one teacher's use of cooperative learning techniques to increase motivation in her students. After briefly describing the problem of student motivation, reviewing the literature that addresses the topic, and noting the characteristics of the class and students, the paper provides a detailed discussion of the teaching methods…

Assessment in the National Curriculum in England and Wales is an example of a different model. The report of the government-appointed working group on assessment, Task Group on Assessment and Testing (1988), states that assessment: (1) is an integral part of both teaching and learning; (2) should not determine what is to be taught and learned; and…

This study reported a number of differences between kindergarten children perceived by their teachers to be "thriving,""average," or "not as yet thriving." Subjects were 340 4- and 5-year-old children from 59 kindergarten classrooms. Results indicated that the three groups of children differed in a wide range of…

In addition to the prominent characteristics of high activity level, three other criteria are often used in identifying and understanding the hyperactive child. These criteria are impulsivity and cognitive tempo, cognitive immaturity and verbal mediation, and self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that third, fourth and fifth…

Thirteen alternatives to using competency based tests should be considered when diagnosing student competency in writing: teacher-made or departmental tests, teacher-student conferences, contractual grade agreements between student and teacher, student self-evaluation, individualized goal setting, keeping files or portfolios of student work,…

Assessment techniques for young severely retarded children are analyzed through identification of skills underlying such common tasks as building with blocks, completing puzzles, and putting pegs in pegboards. Examples are given of four mathematics assessment tasks from a standardized instrument for reasoning and problem solving. Described are the…

Presented is a manual for program assessment of the deaf-blind child's development. In the introduction, it is stressed that the manual is not intended to be a curriculum guide and that scale items are not designed to replace the objectives and activities of the child's curriculum. Assessment checklists are color-coded according to the following…

Reveals creative and unique ways to assess children's learning in the social studies classroom using tools rather than tests. Provides examples of acrostic poems (each line begins with a letter from a famous person's name) and bio-poems (each line answers a biographical question). (MJP)

Presents results of a study developing an informal social skills teacher rating scale for use with early adolescents. Reports that the scale includes skill identification and situational analysis. Provides information on identifying and ranking responses and checking a content validity and reliability. Concludes that the matrix can generate…

Reviews the increased attention to and skepticism about student assessment and standardized testing in the United States. Maintains that alternative assessment techniques such as the use of portfolios and direct assessment provide a more comprehensive evaluation of student achievement. Includes eight criteria for determining validity of…

This paper reports on a program that is developing assessment procedures to measure a student's preparedness for the professional year. This assessment technique seeks to capture an individual's teaching capabilities that may not be evident in traditional assessment methodologies, and to examine the development of teaching capabilities over time.…

Field testing of the portfolio model in selected career and technology education (C&TE) programs and support documents was conducted during the 1995-96 school year. The model was used by 16 child care and early childhood professions teachers and 4 horticultural science teachers in Texas with 366 students. The teachers, who received training in…

This guide for creating, instituting, and maintaining assessment portfolios is a professional resource intended for teachers seeking a realistic and manageable approach to implementing one aspect of authentic assessment--portfolios. The guide explains the philosophy of portfolio assessment and the benefits of using a portfolio system as a tool to…