In many school districts, the pressure to raise test scores has created overnight celebrity status for formative assessment. Its powers to raise student achievement have been touted, however, without attending to the research on which these claims were based. Sociocultural learning theory provides theoretical grounding for understanding how…

Identifies situations in which there is disparity between coefficients calculated from aggregate versus individual level data. Determines the magnitudes of these discrepancies, and discusses the implications for test score reporting and policy decisions based in whole or in part on the aggregate level relationships and discrepancies identified.…

This directory reviews a variety of instruments that may be used by educators to assess the performance of students, teachers, and administrators; school climate effectiveness; and school-community relations. The instruments were selected on the basis of their sound technical quality, ease of availability, and proven utility. The student…