Research suggests that between 25% to 40% of students experience test anxiety, with students with disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds having higher prevalence rates. Since test anxiety impacts student well-being and the validity of the important educational decisions based on testing data, this article…

Although many teachers are using new technologies to differentiate instruction and administer tests, educators are also employing a range of technology-based resources and strategies to implement a variety of classroom assessments as alternatives to standardized and teacher-made testing. Technology-based classroom assessments focus on the use of…

Educators, students, and families face many challenges in responding to the testing mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), including providing students with disabilities with individualized, approved, valid, effective, and acceptable testing…

This article describes development and implementation of a homework Web site to encourage parent involvement in students' homework. The Web site included homework policies, practices, and specific assignments and provided a format for individualizing homework assignments and communication. Insets include a summary of the literature, a list of…

The following recommendations are made to assist multidisciplinary teams in developing educational programs for second-language learners: diversify the team and offer training; compare student performance in native and secondary languages; consider factors associated with second-language acquisition; employ alternative assessments; identify life…

This article offers guidelines for determining equitable, accountable, and effective grading practices and policies for all students that balance the need for a common set of standards and the individual needs of the students. Purposes of grading, grading systems, and effective instructional practices that support grading processes are discussed.…

Discussion of instructional rubrics in classes that include student with disabilities considers what rubrics do, the different kinds of rubrics, and nine guidelines for using rubrics. Principles are illustrated with a classroom project to develop a rubric to evaluate Web sites. Some Web sites on rubrics are listed. (Contains references.) (DB)

This article provides guidelines and examples of effective use of inclusive language to empower students. Recommendations include focusing on the individual rather than the disability, articulating high expectations for all students, describing students in terms of academic achievements, and providing opportunities for all students to assume…

This article provides guidelines that educators can use to evaluate their own inclusion programs. The advantages of questionnaires, interviews and focus group interviews are reviewed, and tips are included for conducting interviews and focus groups. Sample interview questions, and possible concerns of teachers and recommended solutions are also…

Among six guidelines for portfolio assessment are (1) identify the goals of the portfolio; (2) determine type of portfolio to be used; and (3) establish procedures for organizing the portfolio. Insets explain performance-based assessment and use of portfolio assessment to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of…

Provides suggestions for creating learning environments that affirm and value linguistic varieties, including adapting the school/classroom environment, promoting positive group and individual identities, creating school-family-community connections, diversifying the curriculum, providing students with sociolinguistic education, and teaching…

Some specific guidelines and procedures for developing and implementing successful mainstreaming programs are provided. Factors discussed include: developing criteria for mainstreaming; preparing handicapped students; preparing nonhandicapped students; promoting communication among educators; evaluating student progress; and providing inservice…

Examined were the effects of Team-Assisted Individualization (TAI) on the academic, behavioral, and social skills of 18 emotionally disturbed adjudicated boys, aged 13-15. TAI increased the students' on-task and cooperative behaviors, increased the students' liking of their classmates, and was preferred by students when compared to working…

Integrity-of-treatment violations in special education research can be attributed to examiners as well as subjects. Use of educational technology can limit the examiner's influence, while decreased length of treatment session and topographically dissimilar intervention can reduce subject violations in alternating treatment designs and simultaneous…

A 45-item questionnaire rating the importance of specific competencies reported necessary for success in teaching migrant handicapped students was completed by 163 educators who were providing services to migrant handicapped students. Implications were revealed for teacher education. (Author/CL)