This book explains some basic assumptions that underlie different assessment systems, some connections between education and assessment, and some assessment options that have gone unrecognized. The discussion serves as a guide to designing a custom assessment program individualized to fit the students, school, and community. Part 2 contains examples of alternative assessments in practice, and part 3 contains a portfolio planner. The following chapters are included in parts 1 and 2: (1) "Trends and Contexts"; (2) "Paradigms"; (3) "Purposes"; (4) "Scoring"; (5) "Equity"; (6) "Emily Dickinson's Literacy Portfolios"; (7) "LEAP's Curriculum-Based Assessment of Integrated Curriculum Units"; (8) "Walden III's Rite of Passage Experience (R.O.P.E.); (9) "Eagle's Wing Projects"; and (10)"Pan Terra's Learning Contracts." (Contains 12 pages of references.) (SLD)