Links the literatures on human abilities and expertise, suggesting that human abilities are a form of developing expertise. Discusses the role of tests in a scheme that regards abilities as developing expertise and presents a model that implies a shift toward practice grounded in the development of knowledge-based expertise in all children.…

In Scotland, one "value added" (VA) indicator of secondary school effectiveness measures students' relative "progress" between Standard and Higher grade in particular subjects. When random nonschool factors affecting students' geography performance were computer-simulated to determine VA fluctuation over 25 years, the…

Describes the Nebraska Mathematics/Science Framework Project which used reflection and collaboration to develop a framework document that has been a significant motivator to enhance mathematics and science education in Nebraska. The end result is an articulated program of mathematics and science that is guiding other state efforts to improve…

Discussion of the practice in the United Kingdom of permitting disabled students to take an alternative form of assessment focuses on implications vis-a-vis assessment principles. It concludes that alternative assessments are compensatory in nature, violate the principles of assessment, and undermine the validity of assessment in higher education.…

This paper proposes a model for computer-based assessment systems that utilizes a step-wise approach to assessment design and implementation, within which the management and assessment of operational, technical, pedagogic, and financial risks are made explicit. The cyclic model has five components: planning, risk analysis and management,…

Demonstrates that the degree to which something is learned is the degree to which valued new and contextualized behaviors are exhibited. Suggests that learning is commonly assessed by matching learner discourse with "what is in the teacher's mind," a process of discursive colonization. (SK)

Nine productive ways of identifying a research topic are listed for the benefit of beginning researchers, and these approaches are illustrated with examples from the field of educational measurement. Having a research agenda helps the beginning investigator in this era in which there is a gold mine of data available. (SLD)

Examines the nature of the "consensus" reflected in educational standards used to orient high-stakes assessment programs and considers the discourse of standards creation and how standards are used to orient assessment development and performance judgments. Discusses the theoretical perspectives of J. Habermas and H. Gadamer. (Author/SLD)

Introduces this theme issue, which examines contemporary dimensions of how accreditation and student outcomes assessment come together in higher education. The accountability movement in education has caused the development of two parallel continuums that have merged in ways the issue's chapters explore. (SLD)

Compares the 2001 and 1992 versions of the Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education tool, noting specific changes to key concept areas, including: (1) the domain "God" is expanded to "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"; (2) the domain "Church" names its four main attributes, "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic"; and (3) the new category, Church…

Describes the introduction and evaluation of the effectiveness of a single group project given at a new university, and 10 individual tasks at an ancient university, to devise appropriate and relevant assessments for first-year service mathematics courses for science and engineering. Studies the effects of these tasks on attitudes toward…

Describes a program for students' first college chemistry course that used journal articles as a source for writing laboratory reports. Provides specific examples and discusses assessment of student work and student and faculty responses. (Contains 14 references.) (ASK)

In promoting and operating experiential education programs, educators must ask: Who is accountable to whom? How can accountability be measured? and How can accountability information be used? The perspectives of internal and external stakeholders must inform program assessment. (SK)

Summary of a speech by Paul R. Lehman regarding the "National Standards for Arts Education," the standards movement, and the impact of standards on music research and teaching. Includes comments on Ohio's "Comprehensive Arts Education: Ohio's Art Model Competency" standards. Discusses the development of national standards,…

Canberra Institute of Technology implemented a project to improve assessment using teacher-developed action research. Outcomes included a shift in teaching perspectives and pedagogical assumptions and the establishment of a culture of concern for high-quality assessment. (SK)