Background: Facing growing accountability pressures, Teacher Work Samples (TWSs) as a model of performance-based assessment is of growing significance in teacher education. Developed at Western Oregon University and widely adopted and adapted, proponents claim that the model is "real," "natural," "meaningful," and "helpful" (G. R. Girod, 2002).…

Reviews factors that determine sample size, recommended sample sizes, recommended procedures for determining the appropriate sample size, and sample sizes reported in published and unpublished evaluations. (Author)

The use of vocational evaluation recommendations for 71 disabled students in three public schools was studied. Predictive (placement-oriented) recommendations were implemented more frequently than prescriptive (preparation-oriented) recommendations, and prescriptive recommendations were rarely incorporated into individualized education programs.…

Traditionally, most rehabilitation centers have evaluated a clients' vocational skills on an individual basis. Individually administered work samples, however, may not provide as much individual attention to the assessment process as is usually assumed. Two types of group work sample evaluation systems have been developed: the Valpar Work Sample…

Construction of a work sample test, the Investigator Planning Exercise (IPE), for the job of detective in the Chicago (Illinois) Police Department is described. Simulated crime scenarios, a mock crime scene, and five checklists of necessary skills (i.e., ability to summarize and communicate facts, identify inconsistencies, and determine the next…