Prepared as part of a series applying recent research in oral and written communication to classroom practice, this booklet reviews a number of concepts and issues important to communication assessment. The first section of the booklet discusses several issues related to assessing communication at both district and classroom levels. Issues discussed include the availability of assessment instruments, conflicts in definitions, concerns about curriculum, demands placed on teacher time, and mismatches between classroom instruction and standardized tests. The second section answers a number of questions teachers ask before they decide how they will assess student progress, while the third briefly discusses several factors that play an important role in the student-teacher relationship. The fourth examines the role of assessment in developing communication competence and reviews assessment techniques. Writing assessment methods covered include holistic scoring, analytical scoring, T-unit analysis. primary trait scoring, and informal assessment. A copy of a teacher-made rating scale for assessing oral communication is also presented. Examples of student work are included throughout the booklet. (FL)