This action research project sought to enhance assessment for learning, focusing on a "mini-viva" whereby students explained and justified to the instructor selected aspects of their assignment after it was submitted but before grading. Found that student reaction was generally positive but there were some limitations of the method. (EV)

Proposes principles for classroom diagnosis: considering diagnosis as an integral part of instruction; basing diagnoses on natural language evidence gathered in real learning situations; and using the needs of individual students in performing academic tasks as a standard. Describes a model for reading diagnosis and instructional planning. Gives…

Offers guidelines for effective implementation of informal assessment procedures at the middle level. Accompanying each guideline is a sample strategy to enhance the informal assessment procedure. Guidelines are: (1) create a classroom environment that is conducive to informal assessment; (2) encourage students to engage in self-reflection and…

Qualitative career assessments are theoretically based interventions that are grounded in constructivism. Constructivism is a departure from the traditional logical positive worldview that has influenced the development of many traditional career assessments. A central concept to constructivism is the importance of meaning, which can only be…

"Classroom Assessment in Action" clarifies the multi-faceted roles of measurement and assessment and their applications in a classroom setting. Comprehensive in scope, Shermis and Di Vesta explain basic measurement concepts and show students how to interpret the results of standardized tests. From these basic concepts, the authors then…

Purpose: This study examined assessment procedures used by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) when assessing children suspected of having speech sound disorders (SSD). This national survey also determined the information participants obtained from clients' speech samples, evaluation of non-native English speakers, and time spent on assessment.…

This report addresses the effectiveness of the Fulbright program in India in 1996 from the participant's perspective. A detailed outline of pre-trip preparations, on-site experiences and post-trip expectations are described with suggestions made for further improvement. (EH)

The manual presents information for school psychologists on non-test-based assessment for children with suspected handicapping conditions. The information is provided in a workshop format, with instructions for presenters (objectives, content outlines, and lesson plans). It is explained that non-test-based assessment is meant to complement…

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)

Three psychologists participated in an examination of the consistency and accuracy of subjective diagnoses of 20 institutionalized mentally retarded young adults and adults. The psychologists' informal ratings of the Ss' degree of retardation (mild, moderate, severe, profound) were correlated with one another and with the retardation levels as…

Described is a diagnostic-prescriptive model for teacher observation of learning disabled students. It is explained that through observation, teachers should be able to answer questions in seven areas, including the existence of a real learning disability; the student's functioning level in reading, arithmetic, and writing; the student's learning…

Provided for regular and special class teachers is a list of questions for observing student behavior in eight areas: independent work, organization, written work, teacher-directed activities, oral language, cafeteria behavior, relationship with peers and motor ability. (CL)

The paper stresses the importance of informal assessment of spelling, describing both quantitative and qualitative implications. Stages of word knowledge are reviewed and examples of student errors are cited to illustrate needed instruction. (CL)

Stressing that reading assessment should occur while students read books and write stories, the author discusses informal assessment of readiness, fluency, phonics, and comprehension. Implications for instruction are noted. (CL)

Outlines two legal cases involving letters of reprimand written by administrators and put in teachers' files. Shows how in these cases the letters did not constitute defamation or a violation of First or Fourteenth Amendment rights. (MD)