This paper outlines how a discrete choice experiment (DCE) can be used to learn more about how students are willing to trade off various features of assignments such as the nature and timing of feedback and the method used to submit assignments. A DCE identifies plausible levels of the key attributes of a good or service and then presents the…

Classroom tests provide teachers with essential information used to make decisions about instruction and student grades. A table of specification (TOS) can be used to help teachers frame the decision making process of test construction and improve the validity of teachers' evaluations based on tests constructed for classroom use. In this article…

Within the U.S. public school system, English Language Learners (ELL) represent the fastest growing student population. Many of these students struggle to access grade-level content due to Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Although policy regarding LEP status varies state-to-state, most states impose a short time limit on how long a student can…

Students with disabilities frequently use accommodations to participate in large-scale, standardized assessments. Accommodations can include changes to the administration of the test, such as extended time, changes to the test items, such as read aloud, or changes to the student's response, such as the use of a scribe. Some accommodations or…

Summarizes relevant research on bilingual language development and discusses implications for bilingual language assessment. Also discusses limitations in current language ability testing practices for bilinguals and proposed future directions for the development of assessment tools and practices with bilinguals. (SLD)

Discusses sociocultural theory and pedagogy in the second language classroom, especially as it relates to student assessment. Suggests authentic assessment (G. Wiggins, 1990) and instructional conversations (R. Tharp and R. Gallimore, 1988) as better methods of student assessment within this sociocultural framework. (SLD)

Addresses the benefits of formative assessment, the diagnostic use of assessment to provide feedback to teachers and students over the course of instruction, and provides examples and resources to supplement its implementation. (SLD)

This document consists of papers published in the electronic journal "Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation" during 2000-2001: (1) "Advantages of Hierarchical Linear Modeling" (Jason W. Osborne); (2) "Prediction in Multiple Regression" (Jason W. Osborne); (3) Scoring Rubrics: What, When, and How?" (Barbara M. Moskal); (4) "Organizational…

Reviews features of assessment and accountability that influence the trustworthiness of information provided and impact educational practices and student learning. Discusses reform based on assessment and accountability, describes salient features in reform efforts, and makes suggestions for assessment and accountability systems. (SLD)

Describes characteristics of the student population with limited formal schooling (LFS), defining this student group and discussing its impact on schools. The paper also describes individualized language development plans, classroom instruction, and the assessment of the LFS student. In general, the LFS student is an older youth who lacks literacy…

Provides clear definitions of the terms "validity" and "reliability" in the context of developing scoring rubrics and illustrates these definitions through examples. Also clarifies how validity and reliability may be addressed in the development of scoring rubrics, defined as descriptive scoring schemes developed to guide the analysis of the…

Explains why teacher comments on report cards are important, offers suggestions about how to construct effective comments, points out some words and phrases that require caution, and indicates sources of information for report card comments. (SLD)